Qatar Denounces Seizure of Oil Tanker with Egyptian Crew in Yemeni Waters

(MENAFN) Qatar has strongly condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker in Yemeni territorial waters that was carrying Egyptian sailors, calling for urgent international action to secure the crew’s release.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the vessel was taken and later moved toward Somali territorial waters near the Puntland region. Doha described the incident as a serious breach of international law and a threat to maritime security.

The ministry said the act represents “a flagrant violation of international law” and warned that it poses a broader risk to global shipping routes and international trade.

Qatar also expressed solidarity with Egypt and the families of the sailors on board, stressing the importance of ensuring their safety and accelerating efforts to secure their release.

It urged coordinated international cooperation to protect maritime navigation and safeguard freedom of movement through key sea lanes, which it described as vital for regional and global stability.

Egypt confirmed on Monday that an oil tanker carrying eight Egyptian crew members had been seized off the coast of Yemen and taken toward Somalia. The confirmation followed earlier reports from Yemeni authorities, who said the vessel was hijacked on May 2 off Shabwa province in southwestern Yemen, with both Egyptian and Indian nationals among the crew.

Separately, the wife of one of the Egyptian sailors said that the pirates involved in the incident have demanded a ransom in exchange for the release of the crew.

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