A US-flagged container ship faced a potential threat when an unmanned aerial vehicle approached it approximately 80 km (50 miles) south of Yemen’s Mokha, with an explosion occurring 100 meters from the vessel’s starboard side, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey on Wednesday.
Fortunately, both the vessel and its crew were reported as safe.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militants, controlling populous areas in Yemen, have been carrying out a series of drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels since November 19.
The Houthi campaign, positioned as a protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, has significantly disrupted international shipping, prompting some companies to suspend transits through the Red Sea and opt for the longer, costlier journey around Africa.
In response to the Houthi attacks, US and British military forces have launched multiple airstrikes across Yemen against Houthi positions.
The incident involving the US-flagged vessel adds to growing concerns about the safety of maritime activities in the region and emphasizes the need for heightened security measures for vessels transiting through these waters.
