east-africa12.875 min read Pirates Hijack Sanctioned Tanker Off Yemen, Steering Toward Puntland
Somali pirates hijacked the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu 1, a U.S.-sanctioned oil products tanker, about 252 km east of Al-Mukalla, Yemen, and steered it toward Puntland with a 20-member crew (16 Indians, plus a Syrian, a Sudanese and an Iraqi; one nationality unclear). The vessel’s port of call and final destination remain unknown, and the attack follows a surge of piracy since April in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean, with Somali pirates responsible for most hostage-taking in early 2026; Puntland authorities say the renewed piracy involves forces beyond their control but did not identify any group or country.
2 hours ago•Source: allAfrica.com
