Yemeni authorities in Sanaa have denied rumors of a blockade on the Bab al-Mandab strait. Mohammed Abdulsalam stated there is no closure, only a maritime ban on Saudi Arabia in response to ongoing sieges. He criticized Saudi involvement in damaging Sanaa International Airport since 2015, countering claims of a blockade.
On July 24, 2026, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in Yemen’s Hodeida province, targeting Houthi-controlled sites. This military action followed the Houthis’ maritime blockade affecting Saudi shipping. Reports indicated strikes on telecommunications facilities and Kamaran Island, though casualty details were unclear. The situation escalated after Houthi attacks on Saudi vessels.
On July 19, 2026, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a vessel hijacking in the Gulf of Aden. The ship, sailing eastward near Al Mukalla, was redirected toward Somali waters by unidentified individuals. Yemen’s Coast Guard confirmed the seizure of the Asana oil tanker, believed to involve Somali pirates. Investigations are ongoing.
On July 13, 2026, a tanker navigating south of Aden, Yemen, encountered six small boats, prompting UK Maritime Trade Operations to label the situation as “suspicious activity.” As one boat approached dangerously close, the tanker’s armed security team fired warning shots, highlighting ongoing maritime security concerns in the region.
A cargo ship was attacked off Yemen’s Red Sea coast, about 30 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, prompting a distress alert. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the assault by unidentified armed assailants, raising serious concerns for maritime safety. Authorities are investigating and urging nearby vessels to remain vigilant.
On June 21, a tanker reported an encounter with a skiff carrying five armed men about 50 nautical miles southeast of Al-Shihr, Yemen. The crew executed evasive maneuvers to evade the potential boarding. The incident underscores ongoing maritime security concerns, prompting UKMTO to stress vigilance in piracy-prone waters.
On June 17, 2026, armed assailants attacked a vessel off Yemen’s coast, prompting the ship’s security team to return fire. The skiffs retreated after the confrontation, and the crew remained unharmed. This incident underscores the escalating security threats in the region, with UKMTO urging heightened vigilance in maritime operations.
On Sunday, two merchant vessels were attacked by armed skiffs off Yemen’s coast, raising concerns about piracy in the Gulf of Aden. One attack involved a containership and a skiff that opened fire. The crew repelled the attack. A second incident involved a tanker targeted with a rocket-propelled grenade.
On Tuesday, a cargo ship off Yemen’s coast exchanged gunfire with six armed individuals in a piracy incident, differing from typical Houthi attacks involving drones. The ship’s Armed Security Team repelled the attackers, who fled. Authorities are investigating, as piracy concerns linger in the Gulf of Aden, despite recent reductions.
A merchant vessel successfully defended itself against an armed attack from multiple small crafts off the coast of Yemen, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre. The crew remained safe during the confrontation, which highlights ongoing security concerns in crucial shipping lanes amid improving maritime conditions.
The Department of Migrant Workers has announced the repatriation of Filipino seafarers previously held hostage by Houthi rebels. The crew of the MV Eternity C has safely arrived in Muscat, Oman, as efforts continue to finalize their return to the Philippines. This situation underscores the dangers faced by seafarers in conflict zones.
A dramatic rescue unfolded off Yemen’s coast after the MV Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged LPG carrier, exploded and caught fire. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, led by Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo, swiftly responded, rescuing 24 crew members. However, two remain missing, prompting warnings to nearby vessels about the hazardous situation.
A ship caught fire in the Gulf of Aden after being struck by a projectile, prompting the crew to prepare for abandonment. This incident coincides with ongoing Houthi rebel attacks on vessels in the region. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the vessel’s distress and initiated a search-and-rescue operation.
The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) has issued new FAQs, ensuring safe passage for vessels in key maritime regions, provided they aren’t linked to sanctioned entities. While this initiative aims to facilitate transit, experts warn it may primarily serve to legitimize Houthi control rather than genuinely assist maritime operations.
The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed that nine Filipino crew members from the MV Eternity C are held by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated they are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure the seafarers’ safe release following the vessel’s attack and sinking on July 7.
