Somali Pirate Crisis

The Somali Pirate Crisis involves the rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia, beginning in the early 2000s. Somali criminals hijack commercial ships, demanding ransom for crew and cargo, to fund their activities amid ongoing political instability and economic hardship in Somalia. This threat disrupted international trade routes, increased maritime security costs, and posed risks to marine commerce. International efforts, including naval patrols and shipping industry precautions, have aimed to reduce piracy, but it persists as a complex issue rooted in regional instability, poverty, and lack of effective government authority.