Saturday, April 25, 2026- Suspected Somali pirates have seized an oil tanker off the country’s northeastern coast in a brazen attack that is raising fresh alarms over maritime security.
The vessel was intercepted between the coastal towns of Hafun and Bandarbeyla while en route to Mogadishu, carrying a large shipment of fuel critical to the capital’s supply. Armed men reportedly boarded and took control of the ship, steering it south within Somali territorial waters.
Authorities say the tanker had departed from Berbera and was being operated by local business interests, with ownership linked to foreign partners. Early reports indicate a crew onboard—potentially around 17 people—though exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
Somali maritime officials and regional security forces are now under pressure to secure the vessel and ensure the crew’s safe release, with no ransom demands publicly issued so far.
The hijacking signals a worrying resurgence of piracy in one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors. After years of decline due to international naval patrols, experts warn that gaps in maritime security and wider regional instability are creating conditions for renewed attacks.
With fuel supplies already strained, the incident could further disrupt energy flows into the capital and heighten tensions across the Horn of Africa.
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