A report from a British maritime security agency has confirmed an explosion heard near a vessel off the coast of Yemen, an area that has seen increased targeting of shipping by Houthi rebels amidst ongoing conflicts. The incident occurred approximately 120 nautical miles (138 miles/222 kilometers) east of Aden, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an organization run by the Royal Navy.
In its report, the UKMTO indicated there was a “splash and sound of explosion in the vicinity of vessel,” but it reassured that both the vessel and its crew were safe and had continued on their journey to the next port of call. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion, which the agency referred to as an “attack.”
The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran and have maintained control over significant portions of Yemen for over a decade, have intensified their military operations targeting ships they associate with Israel following the escalation of the Gaza conflict that began in October 2023. This marked a strategic shift for the rebels, who have explicitly stated their intentions to disrupt shipping in response to the violence in Gaza.
Earlier in the month, they made headlines by claiming responsibility for launching a missile at a tanker in the Red Sea, which came shortly after Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of their prime minister and numerous cabinet members. The ongoing turmoil in the region continues to heighten tensions and raises concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
