Suspected Somali pirates seize tanker near Yemen amid wave of hijackings
Summary
An oil tanker named Astana was taken over by suspected Somali pirates near the coast of Yemen. This is one of several hijackings this year in the region, which had seen fewer pirate attacks for several years. Authorities and international forces are working to track and respond to the situation.Key Facts
- The Astana was seized about 26 nautical miles (48 km) off Yemen’s Hadramawt province.
- UK maritime security reports said the tanker was boarded by unauthorized people about 65 nautical miles (120 km) south of Mukalla port.
- The tanker was seen moving slowly towards Somalia after the seizure.
- Yemeni coastguard and international naval forces are heading to the ship and monitoring it from the air.
- Somali piracy had dropped significantly after 2013 but has resurged with 18 incidents recorded since April 2024.
- The Gulf of Aden near the incident is a major route for global shipping, linking Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
- Naval forces are stretched thin due to other conflicts, and instability in Somalia contributes to the rise in piracy.
- The EU signed a defense agreement with Djibouti to support missions that protect ships and sailors in the area.
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