Oil Tanker Hijacked Near Yemen Coast, Pirates Linked to Bosaso Heading Toward Somalia

Bosaso, Puntland — Sources in Bosaso city have told Brown Land News that the oil tanker MT Eureka was hijacked near the coast of Yemen in the early hours of last night, in an incident raising fresh concerns about a resurgence of piracy in the region. According to Brown Land News sources, the armed group responsible for the hijacking departed yesterday afternoon from areas near Bosaso before carrying out the attack at approximately 3:00 a.m. Media outlets only became aware of the incident later this afternoon. Sources further claim that the hijackers are known to communities in Puntland and are now navigating the vessel toward the Somali coast. Maritime tracking data shows that MT Eureka is a small oil products tanker built in 2006 and sailing under the flag of Togo. The vessel is reportedly owned and managed by Royal Shipping Lines Inc., a company linked to operations in the United Arab Emirates. This marks the third ship hijacked by pirates linked to Puntland within the past two weeks, according to information gathered by Brown Land News. Two previously seized vessels are reportedly being held along Puntland shores, with ransom demands made for their release. The reported surge in piracy has sparked criticism of Puntland authorities, particularly regarding the effectiveness of maritime security efforts. The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), established in 2011 to combat piracy, has faced accusations from some observers who claim it has shifted focus away from its primary mandate.Some critics also allege that the PMPF, which has received financial and logistical support from the United Arab Emirates, has become more focused on advancing external interests and political priorities rather than intensifying anti-piracy operations and coastal patrols.