Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a tanker off Yemen, the second such seizure in three months, amid what the BBC and Al Jazeera describe as a resurgence of piracy in the region.
Key facts
- A tanker has been hijacked off Yemen by suspected Somali pirates, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.
- It is the second tanker seizure in the region in three months.
- Al Jazeera identified the seized vessel as the Astana.
- The BBC reported there have also been several unsuccessful attacks in the region.
- Al Jazeera described the incident as part of a rapidly growing wave of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
A tanker has been hijacked off the coast of Yemen by suspected Somali pirates, according to reports from the BBC and Al Jazeera. The seizure is the second involving a tanker in the region in the space of three months.
Al Jazeera identified the seized vessel as the Astana, describing the incident as the latest in what it called a rapidly growing wave of piracy sweeping the Gulf of Aden.
The BBC reported that there have also been several unsuccessful attacks in the region, noting that piracy appears to be making a comeback in the area.
Beyond the identification of the Astana and the timing relative to a previous hijacking, further details on the circumstances of the seizure were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
The reports point to renewed concern over vessel security in the waters off Yemen, with the BBC and Al Jazeera describing a resurgence of piracy in the region following successful and attempted attacks.
Frequently asked questions
What ship was hijacked off Yemen?
Al Jazeera identified the seized vessel as the Astana, a tanker taken by suspected Somali pirates.
How many tankers have been seized recently?
According to reports, this is the second tanker to be hijacked in the region within three months.
Is piracy increasing in the region?
The BBC reported that piracy appears to be making a comeback, and Al Jazeera described a rapidly growing wave of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, including several unsuccessful attacks.