UAE condemns hijacking of oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors off Yemen
In its statement, the UAE said the incident amounts to a direct threat to maritime security and to the safety of international shipping lanes.
Wednesday May 13, 2026
The UAE has strongly denounced the hijacking of an oil tanker off the Yemeni coast, a vessel carrying several Egyptian sailors, and its later diversion into Somali territorial waters.
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In its statement, the UAE said the incident amounts to a direct threat to maritime security and to the safety of international shipping lanes.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with Egypt and with the families of the kidnapped sailors, and its support for efforts aimed at ensuring their safety and securing their release.
The ministry underscored the need to step up international action against piracy and organized crime in key maritime corridors. It also said maritime security is essential to the stability of the global economy and international commerce, reiterating the UAE’s call for stronger regional and international cooperation to protect commercial ships, safeguard maritime crews, and preserve the security and stability of sea travel.
Qatar, Jordan express solidarity
Qatar and Jordan too have condemned the act, expressing solidarity to Egypt over the safety of its sailors.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Doha described the incident as a “blatant violation of international law” and warned that it poses a serious threat to maritime security and global trade routes.
The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s full solidarity with Egypt and the families of the sailors, stressing the need to ensure their safety and secure their swift release.
It also called for stronger international cooperation to safeguard maritime navigation and protect freedom of passage through international waterways, describing it as a key pillar of regional and global security and stability.
Jordan too described the incident as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to maritime security and the movement of international trade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed in a statement the Kingdom’s full solidarity with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the kidnapped sailors, stressing the need to ensure their security and safety and to secure their release.
The hijacking comes amid continued concerns over maritime security in waters surrounding Yemen and the Horn of Africa, where attacks on commercial vessels have raised alarm among regional and international authorities.
