In a recent incident, two explosions were reported in the proximity of a merchant vessel approximately 82 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Aden. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the occurrence and assured that both the vessel and crew were safe.
The situation has raised concerns due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Here are the key details:
- Explosions Near Commercial Ship:
- The explosions occurred near a commercial ship sailing off the coast of Yemen.
- The vessel was approximately 82 nautical miles south of Aden at the time of the incident.
- Fortunately, no damage was reported to the vessel or its crew.
- Houthi Involvement:
- The Houthi group, which controls parts of Yemen and is aligned with Iran, has been responsible for attacks on ships in the region.
- While they have not officially claimed responsibility for these specific explosions, suspicion naturally falls on them due to their history of targeting merchant shipping.
- The Houthis have repeatedly carried out drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November.
- Targeting Ships Linked to Israel:
- The Houthis have explicitly stated that they target any ships they believe are linked, operated, owned, flagged, or travelling to or from Israel.
- This stance reflects their alignment with Palestinian interests and their opposition to Israel.
- Impact on Shipping Routes:
- The ongoing conflict in Yemen has forced shippers to reroute cargo on longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
- There are concerns that the Israel-Hamas war could further destabilise the Middle East if such attacks continue.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and maritime security remains a critical concern in the region.
