Puntland Forces Reclaim Hijacked Tanker SIBU 1 After 48-Hour Operation

MOGADISHU— Puntland maritime forces have recaptured the fuel tanker SIBU 1 after a 48-hour operation off the coast of Somalia’s Mudug region, ending a hijacking that lasted more than a month, Puntland authorities said.

All 20 crew members aboard the vessel were rescued during the operation, according to Puntland officials, who said the tanker was brought back under government control after security forces confronted the suspected pirates.

SIBU 1 was hijacked on August 20. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported at the time that six armed men had seized the vessel off the coast of Yemen.

Puntland authorities said their forces had been monitoring SIBU 1 and other vessels seized by suspected pirates before launching the operation to retake the tanker.

The operation resulted in casualties among the suspected pirates, according to Puntland officials. One pirate was killed, four were wounded and 15 were captured. One Puntland security officer was also wounded during the operation.

SIBU 1 had previously been placed under U.S. sanctions. Washington sanctioned the vessel in December, alleging that it was involved in the transportation of Iranian petroleum products as part of efforts to evade U.S. sanctions.

Following the operation, Puntland authorities said the tanker and its crew had been safely recovered and that maritime forces would continue efforts to secure the coastline and combat piracy and other threats at sea.

The recovery of SIBU 1 comes amid continued concerns over maritime security in waters off Somalia. Although piracy has declined substantially from its peak, the latest incident demonstrates that the threat has not been completely eliminated.