Merchant ship attacked by armed men in Red Sea

A merchant ship was attacked in the Red Sea by armed men firing guns and launching rocket-propelled grenades off the coast of Yemen, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. The attack occurred amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The armed security team on the ship returned fire, and the situation is currently under investigation.

Maritime security firm Ambrey issued a warning about the ongoing attack, stating that the ship was targeted by eight skiffs while traveling northbound in the Red Sea, 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah. The UKMTO has advised vessels in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The Houthi rebels, who have been launching missile and drone attacks in the region, have targeted over 100 merchant vessels between November 2023 and January 2025, resulting in casualties and disrupting trade flow through the Red Sea corridor. The conflict in Yemen between the Houthis and the exiled government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, continues with no clear resolution in sight.

Piracy from Somali pirates is also a concern in the region, with incidents aimed at capturing vessels for robbery or ransom. The attack on the merchant ship underscores the volatile security situation in the Red Sea region.

According to the source: Metro.co.uk.