Armed men open fire on cargo ship near Yemen, vessel's security team thwarts attack
The incident occurred around 88 nautical miles south-west of Yemen's Balhaf, UKMTO said in a security alert. According to a report submitted by its master, the cargo ship's security team responded to the threat as the unidentified boat approached the vessel.
A cargo vessel came under attack from six armed individuals aboard a small boat off the coast of Yemen, prompting the merchant ship's security team to return fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The incident occurred around 88 nautical miles south-west of Yemen's Balhaf, UKMTO said in a security alert.
According to a report submitted by its master, the cargo ship's security team responded to the threat as the unidentified boat approached the vessel.
The armed security personnel retaliated after the attackers opened fire, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire.
Following the confrontation, the small craft turned away and departed the area, UKMTO said. No casualties or damage were reported in the initial assessment.
In its advisory, the UKMTO urged ships operating in the region to exercise extreme caution, maintain a high level of vigilance, and immediately report any suspicious activity.
The incident highlights ongoing maritime security risks in waters off Yemen. It came amid the broader conflict in the Middle East and the heightened tensions and security concerns across key shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and other critical waterways in the region.
The incident was reported two days after a merchant vessel, MT MARIVEX, with 24 Indian seafarers onboard was targeted in a US Navy strike near Oman for allegedly violating the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
In a statement released on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged hitting the vessel for allegedly trying to circumvent the ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Sir, this is motor tanker Marivex... we have a fire on board and vessel is sinking," a crew member of MT MARIVEX said in a distress call shared with BBC Verify by the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI).
All 24 Indian sailors were later rescued by the Omani military and brought to safety, Indian authorities confirmed.
A cargo vessel came under attack from six armed individuals aboard a small boat off the coast of Yemen, prompting the merchant ship's security team to return fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The incident occurred around 88 nautical miles south-west of Yemen's Balhaf, UKMTO said in a security alert.
According to a report submitted by its master, the cargo ship's security team responded to the threat as the unidentified boat approached the vessel.
The armed security personnel retaliated after the attackers opened fire, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire.
Following the confrontation, the small craft turned away and departed the area, UKMTO said. No casualties or damage were reported in the initial assessment.
In its advisory, the UKMTO urged ships operating in the region to exercise extreme caution, maintain a high level of vigilance, and immediately report any suspicious activity.
The incident highlights ongoing maritime security risks in waters off Yemen. It came amid the broader conflict in the Middle East and the heightened tensions and security concerns across key shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and other critical waterways in the region.
The incident was reported two days after a merchant vessel, MT MARIVEX, with 24 Indian seafarers onboard was targeted in a US Navy strike near Oman for allegedly violating the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
In a statement released on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged hitting the vessel for allegedly trying to circumvent the ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Sir, this is motor tanker Marivex... we have a fire on board and vessel is sinking," a crew member of MT MARIVEX said in a distress call shared with BBC Verify by the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI).
All 24 Indian sailors were later rescued by the Omani military and brought to safety, Indian authorities confirmed.
