Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Somali Forces Rescue Sanctioned Tanker From Pirates
Somali forces say they rescued an oil tanker called Sibu 1 from pirates.
The ship had been taken on August 20 by six armed people.
The rescue was carried out by police from Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia.
A commander said the ship was free and the suspected pirates were captured.
The ship flies the flag of Eritrea.
The United States had placed the tanker under sanctions in December.
The United States alleged that it was connected to a group of ships helping Iranian oil products avoid sanctions.
Piracy has recently increased near Somalia, with Sibu 1 being at least the 13th vessel attacked this year in the area.
Somalia’s Puntland Maritime Police Force said it freed the tanker Sibu 1 from pirates.
The Eritrea-flagged vessel was seized by six armed individuals on August 20.
Puntland officials said the counter-piracy operation began two days before their Friday announcement.
The United States sanctioned Sibu 1 in December over alleged links to a shadow fleet carrying Iranian petroleum products.
The attack was at least the 13th reported vessel attack this year off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden.
- Who
- The Puntland Maritime Police Force, Somali pirates, and the crew of the tanker Sibu 1.
- What
- Puntland forces said they rescued the tanker and captured the pirates who seized it.
- When
- The tanker was seized on August 20; the rescue operation began two days before the Friday announcement.
- Where
- Off Somalia, in waters connected to the Gulf of Aden.
- Why
- The operation was conducted to counter piracy and free the hijacked vessel.
- Vessel
- Sibu 1, an Eritrea-flagged oil tanker
- Seizure date
- August 20
- Suspected attackers
- Six armed individuals
- Rescuing force
- Puntland Maritime Police Force
- Sanctions
- The United States sanctioned Sibu 1 in December
- Reported attacks
- At least 13 vessels attacked this year off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden
- Historical context
- A 2008–2014 piracy wave off Somalia caused a major western Indian Ocean security crisis