A merchant ship off Yemen’s western coast caught fire after being targeted by armed men on small boats, according to the UK’s maritime safety agency, UKMTO. The incident occurred 51 nautical miles southwest of Hudaydah, where attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at the vessel. UKMTO reported that armed security teams onboard returned fire as the situation escalated.
UK-based maritime security group Ambrey confirmed that the ship was approached by eight skiffs and subsequently attacked. They noted that two drone boats struck the vessel, while the ship’s armed guards managed to destroy two others. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it aligns with Yemen’s ongoing military operations in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Since the escalation of conflict in Gaza, Yemen’s armed forces have intensified their operations, targeting Israeli interests and vessels. They have vowed to continue these actions until Israel ceases its military operations in Gaza, where casualties have surpassed 57,300 since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The Yemeni forces have also targeted American and British vessels in retaliation for their involvement in the region.
