Somali piracy has resurged sharply in 2026, with eight hijackings recorded in the first nine months—all attributed to Somali groups—alongside 25 total incidents off the Horn of Africa through mid-September, compared with just nine for all of 2025. This uptick stems primarily from Western naval forces redirecting assets to counter Houthi threats in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb since late 2023, creating security gaps that pirates have exploited through selective targeting of tankers and vessels with disputed ownership. Puntland security forces have conducted raids to free several ships, including recent operations that resulted in arrests and, in one case, crew fatalities. Global piracy overall sits at its lowest level since 1992, yet adherence to Best Management Practices remains a key deterrent. The approaching northeast monsoon period from October onward typically limits pirate operations at sea.