MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A fuel tanker was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia, as reported by local officials and the British military. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the waters between the coastal towns of Hafun and Bandarbeyla, which are located in the semiautonomous state of Puntland along the Indian Ocean.

The tanker had departed from the port of Berbera and was en route to the Somali capital of Mogadishu when it was intercepted. A colonel from the Puntland Maritime Police Force disclosed the details of the incident, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. According to this official, the hijacking was carried out by six armed men hailing from the Bandarbeyla district.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also confirmed the hijacking in a statement, noting that unauthorized individuals had taken control of the vessel and were maneuvering it "south within Somali territorial waters.” The ship, which is owned by Pakistani interests and chartered by local businessmen, was reportedly carrying a substantial shipment of fuel. However, the exact number of crew members onboard remains unverified.

Local authorities and Puntland security forces are currently facing pressure from community leaders to ensure the safe release of the vessel and its crew. As of now, there has been no indication of ransom demands, which is a common practice in piracy incidents.

Although piracy off the coast of Somalia was once considered one of the most perilous routes in the world, the phenomenon has significantly diminished over the last decade. This decrease has been largely attributed to international naval patrols and enhanced maritime security measures. Nevertheless, sporadic incidents like this one raise concerns regarding a potential resurgence of piracy in the region.