The Gulf of Aden is an important maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, vital for global shipping. However, for the past two decades, it has struggled with instability, becoming a hotspot for piracy. Despite this, international cooperation has led to improved security for this key maritime passage.
Understanding piracy in the Gulf of Aden
What Drives Piracy in the Gulf of Aden?
The Gulf of Aden is a geographical zone that attracts piracy acts because of its strategic passage and because of the instability of the region. It is located between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Gulf of Aden leads to the Strait of Bab-al-Mandeb and represents 40% of maritime traffic and is the fourth most important strait in the world. Yemen and Somalia border the Gulf of Aden. These two countries are in a state of high tension and crisis due to civil wars. Somalia suffers from an intense humanitarian crisis and impoverishment of the population, leading to migration near the coast. Most Somali fishermen are now part of a criminal organization. As a result, the presence of foreign trawlers has depleted Somalia’s resources to the detriment of the already starving population. Piracy is one of the responses of the Somali people, but piracy is also a fact of life for the Houthis.
The rebels, who are now well known, use piracy to achieve different goals. Definitely, the Houthis’ attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea demonstrate to the international community that they have a political perspective.
Historical Context: Development of Piracy in the Region
Somali piracy increased in intensity in 2005, particularly in Puntland. Illegal fishing licenses are sold and are beyond the jurisdiction and control of the state. Somali pirates have made piracy attractive to the vulnerable Somali population. Unfortunately, the instability created by this situation has made it difficult for international aid to reach Somalia.
As for the Houthis, they started their activities in 2004 after their rebellion in western Yemen. Over the years and through wars, the Houthis have expanded their territory and are now trying to control Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden.
Gulf of Aden Piracy Statistics: Trends and Patterns
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden increased in 2011, rising PIRACY ADEN to 212 attacks during the year. Hostage taking, attacks… Piracy can take many forms. Commercial, international trade or military vessels are all targeted. In November 2011, with drones Houthis attacked on an American warship and a helicopter attack on a German ship.
Somali pirates targeted ships sailing through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, demanding high ransoms for the for the release of captured vessels and crew members.
Counter-Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden
The Role of International Naval Forces in Anti-Piracy Patrols
Fabrice Ravel, a geopolitical scientist, explained that “when a war is prolonged, external powers inevitably join the conflict”. Indeed, Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen in 2015 led other states, such as Iran and the United States, to become involved in the conflict. In addition, maritime security has become a concern for international organizations such as the EU and NATO. The main anti-piracy patrols in the area are:
- EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Force), Operation Atalanta, which plays a “vital role” in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy in coordination with Operation ASPIDES. This operation was initiated by France.
- Combined Task Force 151, a multinational mission set up in 2009.
- Operation Ocean Shield, a NATO anti-piracy initiative
It is important to stress that all these operations have been authorized by the United Nations Security Council and are in line with UNCLOS. According to international maritime law (UN and UNCLOS), Operation Atalanta “may arrest, detain, transfer and seize vessels and goods”.
The tasks of Operation Atalanta are
- Protect World Food Program (WFP), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other vulnerable vessels;
- To deter and disrupt piracy and armed robbery at sea;
- Monitoring fishing activities off the coast of Somalia;
- Supports other EU missions and international structure working to strengthen maritime security and capacity in the region.
- Controls traffic: weapons, drugs, people or anything that could feed a terrorist organization such as al-Shabaab.
Cooperation Between Regional Governments and International Actors
All of these collaborations are multinational and demonstrate the need for foreign states to act together. The Atalanta operation brings together all EU members (including the UK, but also Norway, Ukraine, Montenegro, Serbia and South Korea who have participated). It relies on the operation’s headquarters in Brest, France. The MSCHOA ( Maritime Security Center – Horn of Africa) provides 24-hour manned surveillance of ships transiting the Gulf of Aden. Cooperation plays a key role in maintaining security.
In addition, EU NAVFOR, in conjunction with naval forces and patrols, has been conducting operations with regional governments to address the root causes of piracy and also to fortify Somali security. The naval operation is supported by UE TN (Union European Training), a civilian operation to train Somali security forces. Strengthening partnerships in the region and promoting economic development contribute to regional stability.
Maritime Security Strategies: Convoy Systems, Armed Guards, and Technology
Anti-piracy patrols provide a deterrent presence, which is the most important part of the security strategy. “The aim is to increase understanding of illicit activities in the Somali Basin and monitor fishing activities, while providing a visible presence in the area to detect pirate activity and protect vulnerable shipping.”
Operation Atalanta, for example, focuses on escorting ships in the Gulf of Aden, mostly humanitarian aid ships. Military boats relay each other and protect a defined area that follows the grid of the Gulf. The boats of the World Food Program (WFP) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) benefit from these protection operations. In fact, 2,445 WFP ships have been protected by the Atalanta and 3,291,204 tonnes of food and aid have been delivered to Somalia.
To enhance patrol capabilities, anti-piracy patrols use new technologies and advanced surveillance techniques, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artificial intelligence. However, the same technologies are also being used by the Houthis. On 7 July 2024, the Parsa frigate destroyed 2 UAVs launched by the Houthis.
In addition, EUNAVFOR is conducting focused operations to increase its effectiveness in the Gulf of Aden:
Focused operations : Operation Draco (August 2023), Operation Lynx (January 2023), Operation Mare Liberum in cooperation with TASK FORCE 151 (2022), Operation Jack Spine (October 2022)
Since 2014, piracy has declined as a result of the increased presence of international forces. For almost ten years (2014-2023), there were only 21 attacks. Unfortunately, since 2023 and with the tensions in the Middle East, piracy attacks have increased again. International cooperation should be reinforce again as 25,000 ships pass through the Bab Al Manbed every year.
