Merchant vessel attacked off Yemen amid escalating regional tensions

A merchant ship has been attacked near the coast of Yemen, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported. The vessel was struck by two unidentified projectiles approximately 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Saleef, a port city in Yemen.

The UKMTO advisory confirmed that while the ship sustained damage, the crew swiftly initiated damage control procedures. A third explosion was reported close to the vessel, but fortunately, no casualties occurred.

The attack comes at a time of increased threats to international shipping routes, as Yemen’s Houthi rebels have ramped up their aggression in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

While details remain scarce, this incident underscores the growing risks to maritime security in the region, raising alarms within the global shipping community as geopolitical tensions continue to spill over into the Red Sea.