Wooden Boat Opens Fire on Livestock Carrier in Red Sea

A shocking incident unfolded in the Red Sea near Yemen on Thursday when individuals in a wooden boat opened fire on a Comoros-flagged livestock carrier. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was subsequently detained by the Yemeni Coast Guard.

A maritime security official in the Yemeni government revealed to Reuters that the vessel was released after being held on suspicion. Naval forces were concerned as the vessel’s AIS tracking system was turned off, and it was sailing north from the Horn of Africa.

British security firm Ambrey provided additional details, stating that the vessel was en route from Bosaso, Somalia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, the vessel reported receiving instructions to proceed to Mocha, although the source of these instructions remains unclear.

With the escalating tensions in the region, Ambrey advised vessels to avoid transiting east of the Hanish Islands, located 30 nautical miles northwest of Mocha. Additionally, vessels were urged to maintain a safe distance from any small boat activity in the area.

Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea

Since the onset of Israel’s conflict in Gaza with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim these attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In response to the Houthi aggression, Israel has conducted retaliatory strikes on the rebels. The Houthis exert control over significant parts of Yemen, including the crucial Hodeidah port.

Despite the brazen attack on Thursday, there has been no immediate claim of responsibility from the Houthi rebels.

(Reporting by Ahmed Elimam, Tala Ramadan, and Jana Choukeir in Dubai, and Mohammad Ghobari in Aden; Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Philippa Fletcher, and Ed Osmond)