A cargo ship came under attack in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, according to the British military. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that the vessel was 'under attack by unknown armed assailants' near the port city of Hodeidah, which is controlled by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The incident is under investigation, with no immediate claims of responsibility. However, the Houthis have previously threatened to resume attacks on ships in the region.
The UKMTO stated that a skiff approached the bulk carrier and opened fire, prompting security guards to return fire before the attackers retreated. The cargo ship and crew were reported safe. The attack occurred 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, a key port under Houthi control.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels killed 16 government-aligned troops in a separate attack near Hodeidah, marking some of the most violent clashes in years. Medical officials reported that hospitals received 16 dead and 22 wounded pro-government forces. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been in conflict with Yemen's government since 2015, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.
The Red Sea remains a critical transit route for global shipping, particularly for oil exports. The Houthis previously targeted commercial ships in retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza, forcing some vessels to reroute around Africa. The recent attack raises concerns about renewed disruptions to maritime trade in the region.