In brief
A Tanzanian‑flagged tanker, MT Astana, was boarded by suspected Somali pirates 65 nautical miles off Yemen’s coast, marking the second hijacking in three months. Somali security officials claim the attackers are local gunmen from Puntland, drawing attention to the growing pirate threat in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was en route to Bosaso when it was seized, a move that underscores the vulnerabilities of maritime trade routes in the region. This incident comes after earlier hijackings, including MT Eureka near Qana. The attack highlights shifting piracy dynamics and the need for international maritime vigilance.
A Tanzanian‑flagged tanker, MT Astana, was boarded by suspected Somali pirates 65 nautical miles off Yemen’s coast on Friday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Somali security officials.
Officials from Puntland, Somalia’s semi‑autonomous region, said the attackers were a group of seven gunmen who had traveled from the remote area near the port town of Garacad before heading into the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was en route to the Port of Bosaso when it was seized.
This hijacking marks the second time a tanker has been captured near Yemen in just three months—a similar incident in May saw MT Eureka seized near the port of Qana. Two more ships were boarded by pirates in the Indian Ocean in April.
A resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden comes at a time when the region is noticeably less patrolled than the Indian Ocean. While the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) maintains a strong presence in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden is only lightly protected.
The attack underscores the growing threat to maritime trade routes in Africa’s western flank and the need for enhanced international cooperation to protect commercial vessels.
- Reported by Mohamed Gabobe from Mogadishu for BBC News.
