Somali Pirates Seize Tanzanian Tanker Off Yemen Coast

WHO:

ABC News - The hijacked tanker is identified as the MT ASANA.

AP News - The hijacking involved seven armed Somali pirates.

WHAT:

ABC News - A Tanzanian-flagged tanker was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates.

AP News - The MT ASANA was seized after departing from Mukalla, Yemen.

ABC News - The vessel is now being held off the coast of Caluula in Puntland’s Bari region.

AP News - The tanker was transmitting its position at about 2 knots, indicating it had transmitted a distress signal.

WHERE:

ABC News - The hijacking occurred off Yemen’s coast.

AP News - The tanker is currently located in waters off Somalia’s northeastern Bari region.

WHEN:

ABC News - The tanker was hijacked on Friday.

AP News - The MT ASANA departed from Mukalla, Yemen, prior to the hijacking.

WHY:

ABC News - The hijacking is part of a series of attacks attributed to Somali pirates, whose activities have resurfaced after years of relative inactivity.

AP News - Maritime security analysts have warned that persistent maritime insecurity and reduced international naval patrols have contributed to the renewed threat.

HOW:

ABC News - The hijacking was carried out by seven armed Somali pirates.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 16:14 UTC)

A Tanzanian-flagged tanker, identified as the MT ASANA, was hijacked by seven armed Somali pirates after departing from Mukalla, Yemen. The vessel is currently being held off the coast of Caluula in Puntland’s Bari region, and it was transmitting its position at about 2 knots, indicating it had sent out a distress signal. This incident is part of a troubling resurgence of piracy attributed to Somali pirates, which has been fueled by persistent maritime insecurity and reduced international naval patrols.