The vessel was reportedly seized in Yemeni territorial waters and taken toward Somali waters near the Puntland region.
Qatar condemned on Tuesday the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying several Egyptian sailors in Yemeni territorial waters.
In a statement, the Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the vessel was taken to Somali waters near the Puntland region, describing the incident as “a flagrant violation of international law” and a “serious threat” to maritime security and international trade.
Egypt confirmed on Monday that an oil tanker carrying eight Egyptian sailors had been hijacked off Yemen’s coast and taken to Somalia.
The confirmation came days after Yemeni authorities said a vessel was seized by pirates on May 2 off the coast of Shabwa Governorate in southwestern Yemen, with 12 Egyptian and Indian sailors on board.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the sailors, and emphasised the importance of ensuring their safety and security and accelerating the process of their release,” the Qatari MoFA statement read.
The incident, which reportedly took place on May 2, was first brought to public attention by the families of the crew.
The wife of an Egyptian sailor on the hijacked tanker said pirates have demanded a ransom for their release.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it is closely following the hijacking of the oil tanker M/T Eureka.
The vessel was reportedly seized in Yemeni territorial waters and taken toward Somali waters near the Puntland region.
In an official statement, the ministry said that Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian Foreign Minister has directed Egypt’s embassy in Mogadishu to monitor the sailors’ condition and provide necessary support.
The statement added that Egyptian authorities are coordinating “at the highest level” with Somali officials to ensure the crew’s safety and secure their release as swiftly as possible.
No details were provided about the group behind the hijacking or the circumstances of the incident.
According to official sources, the M/T Eureka is carrying approximately 2,800 tons of fuel. The 12-man crew is comprised of Egyptian and Indian sailors.
The Somali coast witnessed widespread piracy activity between 2008 and 2018, before declining for several years, only to reappear again in late 2023 amid rising regional escalation
In its condemnation, Qatar also called for international efforts to ensure the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage in international waterways, considering it a fundamental pillar of regional and global security and stability.
