Somali pirates hijack oil tanker off Yemen in latest attack
Summary
Somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker called the M.T. Sibu 1 off the coast of Yemen. This is the sixth commercial ship seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean since April 2026.Key Facts
- The M.T. Sibu 1, an Eritrean-flagged tanker, was taken by six armed pirates about 136 nautical miles east of al-Mukalla, Yemen.
- The tanker was managed by a UAE company and had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury last year for links to an Iranian fleet evading U.S. sanctions.
- The ship carried 20 crew members from several countries, including India, Syria, Sudan, and Iraq.
- Earlier attacks involved ships named Honor 25, Sward, Eureka, Asana, and Lutuf, all targeted by Somali pirates since April 2026.
- Piracy incidents now happen farther from Somalia’s coast, including near Yemen’s shores.
- The International Maritime Bureau recorded 38 piracy and armed robbery cases worldwide in the first half of 2026; Somali pirates were responsible for most crew kidnappings.
- Puntland’s Security Ministry said forces outside its control were behind the piracy but did not name any group or country.
- Puntland condemned airstrikes near coastal communities where hijacked ships are held and called on involved countries to explain the attacks.
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