Oil tanker hijacked off Yemen coast, heading towards Gulf of Aden

Yemeni coast guard forces announced on Saturday the hijacking of the oil tanker MT Eureka off the coast of Shabwah Governorate in southeastern Yemen. Unidentified armed individuals reportedly boarded the vessel and seized control before steering it towards the Gulf of Aden, in the direction of the Somali coast.

In a statement, the coast guard reported that the hijacking occurred while the tanker was navigating within Yemeni territorial waters. The armed individuals successfully gained complete control of the ship and diverted its course eastward.

Yemeni authorities have been coordinating with international partners and maritime entities operating in the Gulf of Aden region. This collaboration has led to the identification of the tanker's location, and ongoing monitoring operations are in effect with the objective of its recovery and ensuring the safety of its crew.

Details regarding the identity of the hijackers or the entity responsible for the operation have not yet been released. The region between the Yemeni coast and the Gulf of Aden has periodically witnessed incidents that threaten maritime navigation.