UK maritime authority says vessel came under attack near Yemen

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A commercial vessel has come under attack by multiple small boats approximately 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The small boats reportedly opened fire using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The vessel's armed security team returned fire, and the exchange of fire is said to be ongoing, according to a statement by the UKMTO.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, it added.

UKMTO has advised all vessels transiting through the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7, 2023.

UKMTO, which operates under the Royal Navy's Maritime Trade Information Centre, plays a central role in coordinating communication between merchant vessels and military forces in high-risk maritime regions.