AI-written summary of reporting by Arab News. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

Six armed men briefly hijacked the MT Glamour on Thursday when the vessel was about 38 nautical miles off the Yemen coast, according to the European Naval Force and security sources in Puntland. The pirates abandoned the ship after a Japanese warship and helicopters approached, Puntland authorities said.

Arab News

Somali pirates briefly seize vessel off Yemen coast; six attackers abandon ship after warship intervention

Somali pirates briefly seize vessel off Yemen coast; six attackers abandon ship after warship intervention
Sep 12, 2026, 4:53 PM

Six armed men briefly hijacked the MT Glamour on Thursday when the vessel was about 38 nautical miles off the Yemen coast, according to the European Naval Force and security sources in Puntland. The pirates abandoned the ship after a Japanese warship and helicopters approached, Puntland authorities said.

Context

The Gulf of Aden and Somali coast have experienced a resurgence in piracy since April, with at least 15 attacks recorded this year — the highest annual total since 2013, according to the International Maritime Organization.

Security sources in Puntland said the six armed men boarded the vessel, which sails under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, after setting off from a small fishing village. The crew responded by stopping the ship, shutting down its systems, and taking refuge in the citadel, according to the European Naval Force.

On Friday, Somali pirates released the cargo ship MV Sward, which was hijacked in April with 17 crew members on board. Security sources and Puntland authorities said a ransom was paid.

Four tankers seized this year remain in the hands of pirates off the Somali coast: the Honour 25, the Eureka, the Asana, and the Seamull, also known as Sibu 1. The Seamull is part of Iran's 'ghost fleet' accused of exporting Iranian oil and is subject to U.S. sanctions.

All Perspectives
European Naval Force and Puntland authorities: The crew stopped the vessel, shut down its systems and took refuge in the citadel as a precaution before the vessel was boarded. After the hijacking, a Japanese warship approached the vessel and helicopters circled the ship, prompting the pirates to abandon it.
Puntland security sources: Six armed men boarded the Glamour after setting off from a small fishing village. A ransom was paid for the release of the MV Sward.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not state the nationality or identity of the crew members on MT Glamour.
  • The source does not state whether any crew members were injured during the hijacking.
  • The source does not name the Japanese warship that intervened.
  • The source does not disclose the ransom amount paid for the MV Sward.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. Arab News — original

Read the original at Arab News

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