The Puntland Maritime Police Force freed the US‑sanctioned tanker Sibu 1 after it was hijacked by Somali pirates on Aug. 20. The vessel, Eritrea‑flagged, had been targeted by six armed men off the Gulf of Aden. The rescue operation began two days ago and is still underway.
Commander Mohamed Jama told Reuters the tanker is now back in international waters and the hijackers are in custody. The ship had been under U.S. Treasury sanctions since Dec. 2023 for allegedly helping Iranian oil evade sanctions through a shadow fleet.
This incident marks the 13th attack on a vessel in 2024 off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden, according to International Maritime Bureau data and UKMTO reports. Piracy has resurged in recent months after a decline that followed the 2008‑2014 crisis that cost the global economy billions and triggered massive ransom payouts.
The Puntland forces, operating under the national maritime police authority, said the operation remains active as they secure the area and process the detained crew. Legal proceedings against the hijackers are expected to begin next month.
Local fishermen who had to abandon their boats during the attack say the region’s security is improving as the navy patrols intensify. The U.S. State Department has urged shipping companies to remain vigilant in the area.