A vessel carrying livestock came under fire from individuals in a wooden boat in the Red Sea near Yemen on Thursday. The vessel was subsequently detained by the Yemeni Coast Guard, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Incident Details and Detention
The incident involved a vessel traveling from Bosaso, Somalia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to a maritime security official in the Yemeni government, the vessel was temporarily detained on suspicion. Naval forces expressed concern because its Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking system was turned off, and it was observed sailing north from the Horn of Africa, which raised flags.
British security firm Ambrey stated that the vessel reported receiving instructions to proceed to Mocha, a port city on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. However, the source of these instructions was not clarified. The vessel was later released after investigations.
Maritime Security Advisories
Following the incident, the security firm advised other vessels to exercise caution:
- Avoid transiting east of the Hanish Islands: These islands are located approximately 30 nautical miles northwest of Mocha.
- Maintain a safe distance from small boat activity: This warning emphasizes the potential threat posed by unidentified small craft in the region.
Context of Red Sea Tensions
This event unfolds amidst heightened maritime tensions in the Red Sea. Since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023, the Houthis, an Iran-aligned militant group in Yemen, have been conducting attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. They state these actions are in solidarity with the Palestinians. These attacks, involving drones and missiles, have significantly disrupted international shipping through the vital waterway. The ongoing volatility in the region underscores the complex security challenges faced by commercial shipping.
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Source: Reuters
