Pirates Hijack Two Vessels Carrying Indian Crews off Yemen and Somalia

On August 20, 2026 the Eritrea-flagged tanker MT Sibu-1 was seized about 30 nm off Yemen’s coast in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel carried 20 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals. Six armed pirates boarded and took control.

Two Ships Hijacked By Pirates Off Yemen And Somalia, 22 Indians Among Crew

Three days earlier, on August 17, 2026, the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship M/V LUTUF was boarded by eight pirates near Marraya, Puntland, Somalia. Its 10-member crew included six Indian nationals. The ship, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was transporting Turkish weapons and communications equipment destined for a Turkish training facility in Mogadishu. After boarding, the pirates steered the vessel toward the Nugaal coast near Garmaal.

Six Indians aboard cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia's coast Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast, official says Pirates Hijack Two Ships With 22 Indian Crew Members Off Yemen & Somalia Two Commercial Ships Hijacked Near Yemen and Somalia, 30 Crew Members Including 22 Indians Held by Pirates 6 Indians Onboard Hijacked Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Near Somalia Six Indians Aboard Cargo Ship Hijacked by Pirates off Somalia – GKToday WION

Both incidents left the status of crews and cargo unconfirmed at the time of reporting.

6 Indians Onboard Hijacked Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Near Somalia

Piracy off the Horn of Africa has risen as vessels reroute around the southern tip of Africa to avoid Houthi-linked threats in the Red Sea and a stalled Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) noted an increase in opportunistic attacks despite monsoon-season challenges. The group that seized M/V LUTUF was linked to the April 26, 2026 hijacking of the M/V Sward, indicating an active pirate network operating from Puntland’s coastline.

Six Indians Aboard Cargo Ship Hijacked by Pirates off Somalia – GKToday

• Indian crew members affected: 22 (16 on MT Sibu-1, 6 on M/V LUTUF)

Two Ships Hijacked By Pirates Off Yemen And Somalia, 22 Indians Among Crew

• Pirates involved: 6 on MT Sibu-1, 8 on M/V LUTUF

Two Ships Hijacked By Pirates Off Yemen And Somalia, 22 Indians Among Crew

• Cargo on M/V LUTUF: Turkish weapons and communications equipment bound for Mogadishu

Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast, official says

• Other vessels: Two Turkish-owned ships approached the hijacked LUTUF; Turkish helicopters and drones monitored the scene.

Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia's coast, official says

A Somali official, speaking anonymously, said Turkish helicopters and drones were monitoring the LUTUF incident and that two Turkish-owned vessels had approached the hijacked ship. The source reported a small boat delivered khat to the vessel the next day and that an airstrike killed four men and wounded two, though the striking party could not be independently verified.

Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia's coast, official says Six Indians aboard cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia's coast 6 Indians Onboard Hijacked Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Near Somalia Pirates Hijack Two Ships With 22 Indian Crew Members Off Yemen & Somalia Two Commercial Ships Hijacked Near Yemen and Somalia, 30 Crew Members Including 22 Indians Held by Pirates Two Ships Hijacked By Pirates Off Yemen And Somalia, 22 Indians Among Crew Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast, official says

UKMTO alerts urged ships near Somali waters to remain vigilant amid the heightened piracy threat.

8 Armed Pirates Hijacked Cargo Ship ‘Lutuf’ Off Somalia, Status Of Crew Remain Unconfirmed

• Airstrike casualties: Local reports claim four killed and two injured; defence statements provide no confirmation.

Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia's coast, official says

• Crew and cargo status: Indian officials say the crew are safe, while the Somali source said the crew’s condition was “not immediately clear.” No independent verification of cargo condition has been obtained.

6 Indians Onboard Hijacked Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Near Somalia

• Pirate involvement: The Somali official linked the hijackers to the earlier M/V Sward seizure, but no formal attribution has been confirmed by international authorities.

Six Indians Aboard Cargo Ship Hijacked by Pirates off Somalia – GKToday

• “Two foreign-flagged ships have been hijacked. We are in touch with the concerned authorities. There are 22 Indian nationals on board, 16 on one ship and six on the other, and all of them are reportedly safe,” — MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

WION

The twin hijackings underscore the persistent vulnerability of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, especially for vessels carrying sensitive cargo. Continued monitoring by regional navies and diplomatic engagement remain essential to safeguard crew welfare and maritime trade routes.

Two Commercial Ships Hijacked Near Yemen and Somalia, 30 Crew Members Including 22 Indians Held by Pirates