Pirates Seize Tanker in Gulf of Aden, Head Toward Somalia

In the Gulf of Aden, unidentified armed men seized a tanker and forced it to sail toward Somalia. The incident took place on August 20, about 136 nautical miles east of the Yemeni port of Al Mukalla.

The incident was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime security center operated by the British Royal Navy.

According to UKMTO, the tanker was sailing west when it sent a distress signal. The crew reported that an unidentified vessel had approached the tanker.

Later, six armed men boarded the vessel. The attackers are now in full control of the tanker and have changed its course.

The hijacked vessel is being directed toward the coast of Somalia. There is currently no information about the condition or nationality of the crew members.

Somali pirates have stepped up their activities in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, through which up to 15% of global maritime freight traffic passes.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen may also be providing assistance to the pirates.