Local security conflict
Details
Event title
Yemen - Two explosions reported near vessel off coast of Yemen, crew said safe
Source
Main event
Event date (UTC)
2024-05-09 09:48:39
Last update (UTC)
2024-05-20 09:56:36
Severity
Mid
Area range
Multiple states / regions wide event
Address/Affected area(s)
Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Southern Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says two explosions were reported in the proximity of a merchant vessel 82 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Aden.
UKMTO reported that the vessel and all crew are safe and that authorities are investigating.
The Houthi terror group that controls the most populous parts of Yemen and is aligned with Iran has staged attacks on ships in the waters off the country for months, claiming the strikes are in solidarity with Palestinians fighting Israel in Gaza.
Authorities were investigating the incident, UKMTO says in an advisory note sent by email.
The Houthis have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden since November.
That has forced shippers to reroute cargo on longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa and stoked fears the Israel-Hamas war could spread and destabilize the Middle East.