By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, 25 September 2026 Somalia's Puntland state says its maritime police force, the PMPF, freed the oil products tanker MT SIBU 1 and its crew in an operation off the coast of Mudug on Friday morning. Pirates had held the vessel since August 20, 2026.
Puntland Television, citing maritime police officers, reported that 15 members of the group holding the vessel were captured. It said one member of the group was killed and four were wounded, while one Puntland officer was wounded.
In a statement, the Puntland Maritime Police Force said the planned operation lasted 48 hours and that its forces captured everyone who had held the tanker. The force said the crew and the property aboard the vessel were safe.
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The tanker, also known as SEAMULL, was seized on August 20 while sailing through the Gulf of Aden, about 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen. Armed men took control of the vessel and diverted it towards Somalia.
Earlier reports said the tanker had 20 crew members aboard, including 16 Indian nationals. Puntland says the crew has been freed but has not provided further details about their health or where they were taken.