Armed Men Seize Oil Tanker in Gulf of Aden, Vessel Headed Toward Somali Coast

Armed men seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden and forced it to sail toward the Somalia coast, in what Yemeni authorities described as a rare piracy incident in the region.

Yemen’s coast guard said the attackers, travelling in small boats, boarded the vessel and took control before redirecting it toward Somali waters. The tanker was carrying more than 3,500 tonnes of diesel and had been heading to a port in Shabwa when it was hijacked.

More than 21 crew members were believed to be on board, including Filipino and Indian nationals, with unconfirmed reports of European sailors among them.

Yemeni coast guard units deployed two patrol boats to pursue the tanker, while coordinating with international naval forces operating in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea to prevent it from reaching Somali shores.

They said efforts were focused on ensuring the safety of the crew, amid concerns they could be taken hostage. Initial information indicated the sailors were in good condition.