Suspected Somali pirates seize tanker near Yemen amid wave of hijackings
An oil tanker named the Asana has been seized by suspected Somali pirates off the coast of Yemen, marking a significant resurgence in piracy in the Gulf of Aden. This incident follows a series of hijackings in the region, which serves as a vital artery for global trade.
Why it matters
The return of piracy in the Gulf of Aden poses a major threat to global supply chains and maritime security, potentially increasing shipping costs and insurance premiums.
The seizure of the Asana is the latest in a fast-growing wave of piracy sweeping the Gulf of Aden
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Piracy has resurged this year after more than a decade of relative calm. [File: Ben Curtis/AP Photo] By Faisal Ali Published On 17 Jul 2026 17 Jul 2026 An oil tanker has been seized off the coast of Yemen , in an attack the country’s coastguard says was carried out by Somali pirates. It is the latest in a series of hijackings to re-emerge in the region this year.
The Yemeni coastguard said the Asana was seized about 26 nautical miles (48km) off Hadramawt province on Friday.
The UK’s maritime security agency, UKMTO, citing military sources, said there was an “illegal boarding” 65 nautical miles (120km) south of the port of Mukalla. It said the vessel was boarded by “unauthorised personnel”.
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