Aden, Yemen – A merchant vessel traveling through the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen recently experienced two explosions in close proximity, as reported by the British maritime security agency UKMTO on Tuesday. The vessel and its crew are confirmed to be safe, with authorities currently investigating the incident south of Yemen’s port city of Aden.
According to UKMTO, which operates under Britain’s Royal Navy, specific details regarding the ship or the nature of the attack have not been disclosed. However, this area has been prone to security threats and attacks, particularly by Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have carried out numerous drone and missile strikes on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November.
The Huthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Most recently, they have threatened to expand their operations targeting Israel-bound shipping to the Mediterranean Sea. In response to the escalating security risks posed by the Huthis, the United States launched an initiative in December to protect Red Sea shipping from further attacks.
Since January, the US and UK have conducted retaliatory strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen to deter these aggressive actions. On Monday, the United States military successfully intercepted a drone launched by the Huthis over the Red Sea. The drone was deemed a significant threat to US coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region by the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM). The ongoing confrontations highlight the volatile nature of maritime security in the region, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among international stakeholders to safeguard shipping lanes and prevent further disruptions.