Dubai – In a targeted missile attack on Thursday, a vessel transiting the Gulf of Aden was hit, resulting in a fire onboard, according to reports from two maritime agencies. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the attack, stating that coalition forces are responding to the incident.
Security firm Ambrey reported a fire aboard a Palau-flagged, British-owned general cargo ship after two missile strikes southeast of Yemen’s Aden. The vessel, originating from Map Ta Phut, Thailand, was en route to the Red Sea.
Merchant shipping has been advised to stay clear of the affected vessel and proceed with caution. No immediate claim for the attack has been made, but it follows a series of strikes on commercial vessels by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for previous attacks, stating solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. These strikes have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, causing a significant impact on global maritime trade.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development reported a more than 40% decrease in commercial traffic passing through the Suez Canal in the previous two months due to these disruptions. The situation is evolving, with ongoing efforts to address and respond to the security challenges posed by these attacks.