Arab League chief condemns hijacking of oil tanker with Egyptian sailors

CAIRO - 12 May 2026: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abu el-Gheit on Tuesday strongly condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying eight Egyptian sailors in Yemeni territorial waters off the coast of Shabwa.

The vessel was forcibly diverted to Somali waters, a move Abu el-Gheit described as a "flagrant violation" of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the crew, which includes sailors of various nationalities alongside the Egyptians.

Arab League spokesperson Gamal Roshdy affirmed the organization’s full solidarity with Egypt. He praised Cairo’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the sailors' safety and release.

The Arab League further warned that maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is an integral part of Arab national security.

Any threat to these waters impacts the interests of all Arab nations and the stability of global trade, the statement added.