Yemen tanker seized by armed gunmen, agencies say

Armed gunmen seized the Seamull tanker in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen and forced it to change course towards Somalia, maritime security agencies said Thursday.

Shipping monitor Vanguard said the vessel, also known as SIBU 1, issued a distress call as it was approached 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen.

The EU’s Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean said the tanker had reportedly been boarded by six armed people who were in control of the vessel and redirecting it towards Somalia.

Piracy off Somalia was widespread in the 2000s and peaked in 2011 before international naval deployments and new shipping security measures curbed attacks. Maritime attacks have risen again since April, with five cargo ships currently held hostage, most recently a vessel seized near the Somali coast on Monday.