Doha: Qatar condemned on Tuesday the hijacking of an oil tanker in Yemeni territorial waters, with several Egyptian sailors on board. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that the tanker was taken to Somali territorial waters near the Puntland region, labeling the incident as ‘a flagrant violation of international law’ and a ‘serious threat’ to maritime security and international trade.

According to Anadolu Agency, Doha expressed full solidarity with Egypt and the families of the sailors, emphasizing the necessity to ensure the safety of the crew and expedite their release. The ministry also called for coordinated international efforts to safeguard maritime navigation and freedom of passage through international waterways, highlighting their importance for regional and global security and stability.

Egypt confirmed on Monday that an oil tanker carrying eight Egyptian sailors was hijacked off Yemen’s coast and taken to Somalia. This confirmation followed reports from Yemeni authorities that a vessel had been hijacked by pirates on May 2 off the coast of Shabwa Governorate in southwestern Yemen, with 12 Egyptian and Indian sailors on board.

The wife of an Egyptian sailor on the hijacked tanker revealed that pirates have demanded a ransom for their release. The Somali coast, which saw widespread piracy activity between 2008 and 2018, experienced a decline in such incidents for several years. However, piracy has resurfaced in late 2023 amid escalating regional tensions.