The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen carrying several Egyptian sailors, after the vessel was reportedly taken into Somali territorial waters.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) described the incident as a criminal act that poses a direct threat to maritime security and the safety of international trade routes.
The ministry affirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with the Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the abducted sailors, stressing its support for all efforts aimed at ensuring their safety and securing their release.
MoFA also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to combat piracy and organized crime in critical maritime corridors.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that maritime navigation security remains a fundamental pillar of global economic stability and international trade.
In this context, the UAE renewed its call for enhanced regional and international coordination to protect commercial shipping vessels, ensure the safety of maritime crews, and preserve stability across key global shipping routes.
The incident comes amid ongoing international concerns over maritime security risks in the waters linking the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and surrounding trade corridors.
With inputs from WAM
