Impacts of Houthi Red Sea Attacks on African Countries

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 22 September 2026 an analysis titled "Houthi Leverage over the Red Sea Escalates Threats for Africa."

Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the red Sea and Gulf of Aden are intensifying pressure on global supply chains.  The attacks also have direct security and economic implications for many African countries, especially in the Horn of Africa.

There has been a resurgence in Somali piracy, growing cooperation between the Houthis and al-Shabaab in Somalia, and rising prices for refined oil products, fertilizer, and imported manufactured goods that previously transited the Suez Canal.  

Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Complicate Situation in Horn of Africa

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 23 September 2026 an analysis titled "The Impacts of the Houthis' Advance Could Extend Well Beyond Saudi Arabia" by Andrew Leber and Lesley Anne Warner. 

Connections between the Houthis in Yemen and terrorist organizations in Somalia, renewed conflict and insecurity in the Horn of Africa, and a revival of Somali piracy raise the question whether the worsening situation in the Red Sea region will lead to increased US engagement.

China-Africa Defense Ties

 Modern Diplomacy published on 20 September 2026 a commentary titled "China-Africa Defense Ties Deepen after Beijing Security Forum" by Nadia Helmy.

The 4th China-Africa Peace and Security Forum took place in Beijing in mid-September.  Military representatives and defense officials from the African Union and 41 African nations participated.  The event reflects growing interest in security cooperation with China and diversification away from Western countries.  

Increase in Somali Piracy in the Gulf of Aden

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 10 September 2026 an article titled "Somali Pirates Sustain Hijackings" by Michael DeAngelo and Liam Karr.

Somali pirates have hijacked at least 6 vessels off the coast of Somalia's Puntland State and off the coast of Yemen since April.  Suspected Somali pirates have attempted at least 4 additional hijackings since May.  

The war with Iran may be contributing to the increase in pirate attacks.  Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen may be collaborating with al-Shabaab in Somalia in support of the pirates.  One of the pirated vessels contained Turkish military equipment destined for the Somali National Army.  

Yemen's Houthis Building Ties with Horn of Africa

 Al-Estiklal, a Turkish daily based in Istanbul, published on 24 August 2026 an article titled "Houthi Expansion in the Horn of Africa: From Arms Smuggling to a Cross-Border Network of Influence."

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi outreach to the Horn of Africa is an attempt to build a human, logistical, and intelligence network that can be utilized on both sides of the Red Sea.  It involves collaboration with al-Shabaab in Somalia and sympathetic individuals in Ethiopia and Eritrea.  

It is part of Iran's broader strategy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  The Houthis monitor the movements of countries allied with Saudi Arabia and the United States and secure supply lines to ensure the continued flow of weapons and supplies.

Somali Pirates Are Back in Business

 CNBC published on 20 August 2026 an article titled "Somali Pirate Menace Returns as U.S.-Iran War Stokes Regional Chaos and Saps Enforcement Resources" by Aparajita Saxena.

On August 17, pirates seized the cargo vessel Lutuf about four nautical miles off the Somali coast.  A month ago, they seized the MT Asana, a Tanzanian-flagged oil and chemical tanker, in the Gulf of Aden.  The upsurge in piracy may be driven by drought and food insecurity in Somalia and increased regional instability caused by the war with Iran.

Somalia/Somaliland: Text of US AFRICOM Commander's Interview

 This is the full text of the interview by Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of the National Union of Somali Journalists, with General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the Commander of U.S. Africa Command in Mogadishu and posted on 31 July 2026.

Most of the interview focuses on US-Somali cooperation in combatting al-Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia.  This is the interview where General Anderson also said, "there are no plans to build a base in Somaliland" and "U.S. policy is, and remains, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.  That has not changed."   

Saudi Arabia Creates Red Sea Task Force

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 6 August 2026 an article titled "Red Sea" by Michael DeAngelo and Liam Karr.

Saudi Arabia announced on 30 July the formation of a Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to protect shipping in the Red Sea and adjacent waterways following the Bab el-Mandeb Strait blockade of Saudi ships by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.  So far, 14 nations have joined the task force.  

Securing the Red Sea

 The Hollings Center for International Dialogue published in July 2026 a brief titled "Securing Strategic Waters Across the MENA Region: The Red Sea."

The current threat in the Red Sea is not confined to the closure of the geographical Bab el-Mandeb choke point.  It is shaped by persistent uncertainty caused by the security crises in the wider region.

The threat cannot be addressed through conventional naval tools alone, nor reduced to a piracy or law enforcement problem.  The brief recommends incremental cooperation, capacity building, and risk mitigation measures.

Protecting Cable Laying Ships in Gulf of Aden and Off Somalia

 List 25 published on 11 July 2026 an analysis titled "Navies Protect Cable Ships from Pirate Skiffs: The Full Story" by Anant Gupta.

Fiber-optic cable laying ships in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Guinea, and waters off Somalia are especially vulnerable to pirate attacks.  This analysis explains why they are vulnerable and efforts to protect them as they perform their vital functions.

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Experiencing Increase in Piracy

 The International Maritime Organization posted on 6 July 2026 a news release titled "IMO Secretary-General Calls for Release of 44 Seafarers Held by Pirates."

Seafarers are being held aboard three detained vessels in Somali waters by pirates and armed robbers.  The incidents highlight a worsening trend in maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  Over the past three months the IMO has recorded 24 attempted and actual incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region.  

Somali Piracy on the Rise

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 30 April 2026 an article titled "Somalia" by Michael DeAngelo.  

Somali pirates have hijacked 3 vessels in Somali waters off Puntland since 21 April, the most in a 10-day period since 2012.  The problem could get worse if the pirates renew ties with the al-Shabaab terrorist organization in Somalia or Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Revival of Somali Piracy

 BBC News posted on 27 April 2026 an article titled "Pirates Seize Another Vessel off Somali Coast as Threat Level Increased" by Harry Sekulich.

After a long period of inactivity, at least 4 vessels have been targeted by pirates off northern Somalia in the past week.  Pirates seized an oil tanker with an international crew and a Somali-flagged fishing vessel.  

Interview with Tigray Press: Part 2

 This is part 2 of the Tigray Press interview with me on 9 March 2026 hosted by Bisrat Kebede.  Part 1 is posted below on 10 March.  

This 44-minute segment focuses on the current situation in the Horn of Africa and the engagement in Africa of the United States, China, and Russia.   

China's Port Network Clusters Near Chokepoints

 The Conversation published on 4 March 2026 an analysis titled "Far from Random, China's Global Port Network Is Clustering Near the World's Riskiest Trade Routes" by Dylan Spencer, Georgia Southern University, Gohar Petrossian, John Jay School of Criminal Justice, and Stephen Pires, Florida International University.

Chinese companies now own or operate terminals at more than 90 ports worldwide.  This program is not random; the investments cluster near maritime chokepoints and piracy-prone shipping corridors such as the Suez Canal/Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, and Strait of Malacca.  Proximity to critical trade bottlenecks strongly predicts Chinese port investment.  

Somalia and Turkey Move Forward with New Port of Hobyo

 The Africa Report published on 26 February 2026 an article titled "Somalia: Hobyo Port Advances Amid Security Risks and Ethiopia Trade Scramble" by Mohamad Sheikh Nor.  

Hobyo Investment Company has a 70 percent stake and a Turkish-owned construction company a 30 percent share in a new port at Hobyo, which is intended to support central Somalia and possible trade to and from Ethiopia.  The new port faces challenges because it will strengthen certain local and foreign actors while sidelining those with interests in competing ports.

Illegal Chinese Fishing Vessel Hijacked Off Somalia

 The Maritime Executive posted on 1 January 2026 an article titled "Report: Chinese Fishing Vessel Hijacked Off Somalia."

A Chinese fishing vessel, Liao Dong Yu 578, from an illegal fishing fleet was hijacked on New Year's Day off the coast of Puntland, Somalia.  Pirates captured the same vessel in 2024 and released it after payment of a ransom.  

Podcast with Germany's Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa

 The International Crisis Group posted on 8 December 2025 a 38-minute podcast titled "Global Disorder, Horn of Africa Turmoil.  Can Europe Keep Up?" with Alan Boswell and Heiko Nitzschke, Germany's special envoy for the Horn of Africa based in Nairobi.  

Maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden looms large in the policies of Germany and Europe.  The Horn of Africa is increasingly being impacted by multilateralism.  Europe is only one among many engaged players in the Horn.  African countries in the region ultimately will determine the role that Europe plays.  Europe's strength is the reliability of its interest and engagement.  Its priority for the conflict in Sudan is to achieve a ceasefire and ameliorate the humanitarian crisis.

US foreign aid cuts sent shockwaves through European and Horn of Africa capitals.  European countries are trying to fill some of the gaps left by the United States, but they too are turning increasingly to private investment.  US policy in the region has also become more unpredictable.  A new order is emerging in the Horn, especially with greater involvement of the Gulf States and Türkiye.  Finally, Nitzschke expressed concern there is now a serious risk of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. 

Pirate Attack in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

 The Week magazine published on 6 December 2025 an article titled "Battle of Sea: Bulk Carrier 'Bobic' Fends Off 15 Pirate Boats Twice; Netizens Call It Swarm Attack."

The Barbados-flagged, Turkish-owned bulk carrier was attacked on 5 December in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by 15 small boats of unknown origin.  The armed security team on the bulk carrier managed to repel all 15 boats; there were no casualties and the bulk carrier continued to its next port of call.  

Is Piracy Returning to the Somali Coast?

 The Defense Post published on 7 November 2025 an article titled "Pirate Attack Off Somali Coast Fuels Fears of Comeback."

This past week there were 3 unsuccessful attacks on international shipping off Somalia by suspected pirates.  After a lengthy hiatus, it raises the question if piracy is returning to the region.