Chemical tanker seized by suspected Somali pirates

A chemical tanker was boarded by armed assailants in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, July 17, in an incident maritime authorities suspect is linked to Somali pirates. The vessel, identified as the Asana, was seized approximately 65 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port city of Al Mukalla.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that military authorities confirmed the tanker was boarded by unauthorized personnel while transiting east. Yemen's coast guard stated the ship was captured by a group of Somali pirates and was heading southeast toward Somalia. The Tanzania-flagged chemical tanker did not have an armed security team aboard at the time of the incident, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.

Initial assessments from security sources indicate the attack appears to be related to Somali piracy rather than the actions of Yemen's Houthi militia. The Asana had listed the Somali port of Bosaso as its next destination, according to ship tracking data. A distress call was issued by the vessel around 0620 GMT on Friday. Details regarding the number of assailants and the status of the crew remain unclear.

In response, a South Korean naval vessel was...