Somali piracy has resurged sharply in 2026, with at least six commercial vessels hijacked since April and multiple fishing dhows targeted, including the Iranian-flagged AZINI seized on October 29 roughly 185 nautical miles off Puntland. Indian naval forces freed that vessel on November 2 after a brief operation, but four other hijacked ships with dozens of crew remain under pirate control along the Puntland coast. Reduced international naval patrols tied to Red Sea operations, combined with economic pressures in Somalia and opportunistic targeting of vulnerable or sanctioned vessels, have enabled pirate action groups to operate farther offshore in the Gulf of Aden. The northeast monsoon season typically constrains activity through early 2027, yet suspicious approaches and attempted boardings continue to signal sustained intent and capability.