Gunmen seize tanker off Yemen amid resurgence of Somali piracy
Summary
A tanker named Seamull (also called SIBU 1) was taken over by six armed people near Yemen and redirected toward Somalia. This hijacking happened in the busy Gulf of Aden, where piracy attacks have recently increased after a long quiet period.Key Facts
- The incident occurred 136 nautical miles east of Yemen’s port city Al Mukalla in the Gulf of Aden.
- The tanker sent a distress call reporting an unauthorized vessel approaching before being boarded.
- The six armed individuals have control of the tanker and are steering it toward Somalia.
- Authorities are investigating the situation, but the safety of the crew and ship was not confirmed.
- The Gulf of Aden is a vital shipping route linking Asia and Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
- Somali piracy was a major problem from 2005 to 2012 but declined after international naval actions.
- Since April 2024, piracy off Somalia has increased again, with five ships held hostage, including a similar tanker seized in July near Yemen.
- Factors such as regional conflicts and stretched naval forces have contributed to the piracy resurgence.
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