Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
A Liberian-flagged oil tanker, owned by Greek entities, was subjected to an armed attack off the coast of Hudaidah city in western Yemen. The incident, reported by the British maritime security firm Ambrey in an urgent statement on Sunday evening, resulted in water leakage into the vessel and damage to part of its cargo.
This attack occurred just hours after the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced it had received a report of a commercial vessel being targeted 51 nautical miles southwest of Hudaidah. The UKMTO confirmed that the vessel came under fire from boats using small arms and projectiles.
The identity of the party responsible for the attack has not yet been revealed.
These incidents are taking place within a context of escalating threats in the waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, particularly in areas near ports controlled by the Houthi group.
The British authority had issued a warning on Saturday about real dangers facing commercial vessels heading to the ports of Hudaidah governorate, indicating the possibility of them being subjected to airstrikes that could hit ships, cranes, or maritime facilities.
The UKMTO affirmed that the threat level remains “high”, urging vessels to exercise the utmost caution, continuously assess risks, and coordinate with relevant authorities to minimize their exposure to any potential damage.
This is the fourth such warning in three months, following similar alerts in May and June, as part of a series of notifications issued by the British authority, which serves as a reference point for international maritime navigation in conflict zones.
This latest attack reflects the worsening threats to maritime security in the Red Sea, amidst ongoing military and political tensions in the region.
