Armed Men Hijack Tanker in Gulf of Aden and Divert It Toward Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Six armed men have seized control of a tanker sailing through the Gulf of Aden and redirected it towards Somalia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), in the latest incident to raise concerns over maritime security in the waters linking the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

The incident took place about 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, as the westbound tanker was transiting the Gulf of Aden. The vessel issued a distress call after an unidentified vessel approached it, UKMTO said.

The maritime security agency later confirmed that six armed people had boarded the tanker and taken control of the vessel before changing its course towards Somalia. Authorities are investigating the incident.

UKMTO did not initially identify the tanker, disclose its flag or provide details about the crew. Their condition and the whereabouts of the vessel were not immediately confirmed.

The agency advised other ships operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.

The seizure comes days after another commercial vessel was hijacked off Somalia, adding to concerns about a resurgence of piracy in the waters around the Horn of Africa.

On Aug. 17, eight armed men boarded and took control of the cargo vessel Lutuf about four nautical miles south of Mareeyo on Somalia’s coast, according to UKMTO.

The latest incident is particularly significant because it occurred on the Yemeni side of the Gulf of Aden before the tanker was redirected towards Somalia. It highlights the difficulty of separating the maritime security risks on either side of the Gulf, a major international shipping corridor connecting the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Maritime security analysts have reported a rise in piracy-related incidents in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden this year, with several commercial vessels targeted since April.

Somalia’s piracy problem had declined sharply after a major international naval campaign and the introduction of stronger security measures aboard commercial ships helped reduce attacks following a peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

But attacks have returned in recent years, amid wider instability across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The region is also facing threats linked to the conflict in Yemen, including attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi forces.

For Somalia, the renewed piracy activity presents a significant challenge. The country’s long coastline sits alongside one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, making maritime security important not only to Somalia but also to shipping interests across East Africa and beyond.

Authorities have not said whether the six men involved in the latest seizure are Somali pirates or belong to another group. No organisation has publicly claimed responsibility for the incident.

The investigation is continuing, while vessels using the Gulf of Aden have been urged to remain vigilant.