Mogadishu: A cargo vessel was hijacked off Somalia on Monday after eight armed men boarded and took control of the ship, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. In a warning notice, UKMTO reported the incident occurred 4 nautical miles south of Mareeyo, Somalia.

According to Anadolu Agency, the company security officer of the cargo vessel reported that the ship had been boarded by eight unauthorized armed persons who took control of the vessel. The statement from UKMTO did not disclose the vessel's ownership, and as of 1300GMT, no group has claimed responsibility for the hijacking.

Piracy was widespread off Somalia's coast from 2008 to 2018 before declining. However, incidents began increasing again in late 2023 amid heightened regional security tensions.