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Qatar has condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker which had Egyptian sailors on board in Yemeni territorial waters.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the incident took place in Somali territorial waters near the Puntland region, and described it as “a flagrant violation of international law” and a “serious threat” to maritime security and international trade.
Statement | Qatar Condemns Hijacking of Oil Tanker Carrying Egyptian Sailors
Doha | May 12, 2026
The State of Qatar condemns the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors from the Yemeni territorial waters, and its diversion toward Somali territorial waters near… pic.twitter.com/YRlgHr1Hnd
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) May 12, 2026
“The State of Qatar condemns the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors from the Yemeni territorial waters, and its diversion toward Somali territorial waters near Puntland region.
The State of Qatar describes the hijacking as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to maritime navigation security and international trade routes,” the statement read.
It further expressed solidarity with Egypt and the sailors’ families and called for the crew’s safety.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the sailors, and emphasised the importance of ensuring their safety and security and accelerating the process of their release,” the ministry added.
“The Ministry also calls for concerted international efforts to ensure the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage in international waterways, considering it a fundamental pillar of regional and global security and stability.”
Yemeni authorities had revealed that the vessel was hijacked by pirates on May 2 off the coast of Shabwa Governorate in southwestern Yemen, with 12 Egyptian and Indian sailors on board.
The wife of an Egyptian sailor who was on the hijacked tanker said pirates have demanded a ransom for their release.
