GULF OF ADEN – An oil tanker identified as Asana has reportedly been hijacked off the coast of Hadramawt Province in eastern Yemen, with Yemeni authorities blaming Somali pirates for the attack.

According to the Yemeni Coast Guard, the vessel was sailing approximately 26 nautical miles (48 kilometers) off the Hadramawt coast when it was approached by armed men traveling in speedboats. The attackers reportedly boarded the tanker and took control of the vessel.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving reports that the ship had been illegally boarded by unidentified individuals. The agency said it is closely monitoring the situation and has advised commercial vessels operating in the Gulf of Aden to maintain heightened security precautions.

Initial reports indicate the hijacked tanker is heading toward Somali waters, raising concerns that it could be taken to pirate-controlled areas where hijacked vessels have previously been held for ransom.

Yemeni authorities said they have launched a search operation involving coast guard units and surveillance aircraft and are coordinating with international maritime security partners to locate the vessel and those responsible.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, and the condition of the crew remains unknown.

The hijacking comes amid renewed concerns over maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, where attacks on commercial shipping have increased in recent months. While Somali piracy declined dramatically after its peak between 2008 and 2012, maritime security experts have warned that recent incidents may indicate an attempted resurgence.

The reported hijacking adds to growing concerns that Somali pirate networks are seeking to exploit the current security environment in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. With international naval resources heavily focused on responding to regional conflicts and Houthi attacks, pirate groups may perceive reduced maritime patrols as an opportunity to resume large-scale hijackings. If confirmed, the incident could prompt renewed international naval cooperation and stronger security measures to protect one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.