20 sailors kidnapped by Somali pirates near Yemen on US-sanctioned ship

Somali pirates seized an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, according to a Somali maritime security official. The Eritrean-flagged M.T. Sibu 1, managed by a UAE-based company, was targeted 136 nautical miles east of al-Mukalla. Six armed pirates took the 20-person crew aboard, including 16 Indians, one Syrian, one Sudanese, and one Iraqi.

The tanker had been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for allegedly belonging to an Iranian "shadow fleet." The hijacking occurred three days after the Lutuf, a Cameroon-flagged vessel, was seized off Somalia. This marks the sixth commercial vessel hijacked by Somali pirates since April 21. The attacks have moved further away from Somalia's coastline, with vessels being hijacked while anchored off Yemen and others some 65 nautical miles southwest of al-Mukalla.

Somali pirates have been responsible for 94% of crew members taken hostage during the first half of 2026, according to the International Maritime Bureau. Puntland's Security Ministry suspects forces beyond its control are behind the renewed piracy but has not identified any specific group or country. The ministry calls for an explanation of air strikes near Garacad on August 18 and 20, though the allegations remain unverified.