Oil Tanker Hijacked off Yemen Coast, Diverted Toward Somalia

ADEN, Yemen — Yemeni authorities said Saturday that an armed group has hijacked an oil tanker off the country’s southern coast and redirected it toward Somali waters, in what appears to be part of a recent surge in piracy.

The vessel, identified as M/T EUREKA, was seized near the coast of Shabwa province, according to Yemen’s coast guard. Officials said unidentified gunmen boarded the tanker and took control while it was transiting the area.

The ship was later steered into the Gulf of Aden, apparently heading toward waters off Somalia, raising concerns over maritime security along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Officials and maritime sources say the incident marks the fourth ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the past two weeks, signaling a possible resurgence of piracy in the region after years of decline.

Yemeni authorities said they are closely monitoring the vessel’s movements and working to determine its exact location. Efforts are underway to secure the release of the tanker and ensure the safety of its crew, officials added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the hijacking, and the identity of the attackers remains unknown.

The Gulf of Aden is a critical corridor for global trade, linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean, and has long been vulnerable to piracy.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

GAROWE ONLINE