Houthi-Somali piracy cooperation threatens Gulf of Aden shipping

International security reports indicate growing coordination between Houthi militants and Somali piracy networks, threatening maritime safety in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean. Security experts suggest that existing smuggling routes used for weapons and human trafficking are being leveraged to provide logistical support for ship hijackings and attacks.

The threat was highlighted by the recent seizure of the Eritrean-flagged oil tanker Sebo 1. Armed individuals took control of the vessel approximately 252 kilometers east of Mukalla before diverting it toward the Somali coast. The tanker's crew includes 20 members, 16 of whom are Indian nationals. The Sebo 1 had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly operating within a shadow fleet used to bypass Iranian oil export sanctions.

Data from the International Maritime Bureau shows a significant rise in maritime attacks. At least 13 attacks have been recorded this year near the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden, compared to only five in 2025. Analysts suggest that the focus of international naval forces on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea has created security gaps that piracy networks are now exploiting.