UKMTO map showing the location of the suspicious approach, Incident 123, 45NM south of Al Mukha, Yemen.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a suspicious approach by an unmanned surface drone on a merchant vessel near Yemen’s coast on Friday, marking the end of an 18-day period without Houthi attacks in the region.
The incident took place approximately 45 nautical miles south of Al Mukha in the Bab-El-Mendeb Strait, the UKMTO reported.
“The Master reports sighting an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) with blue and white hull… described as behaving erratically before departing the vessel,” the UKMTO report stated.
Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, offered insight into the situation on X, stating: “Today marks the longest period (18 days) without a #Houthi attack against shipping since they began on 19 Nov 23.”
Kelly suggested that while UK and US airstrikes may have temporarily impacted Houthi capabilities, the group has demonstrated resilience in the past. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the next phase of escalation introduced shortly in a bid for the Houthis to remain current,” Kelly said.
The resumption of attacks coincides with the successful towing operation of the Greek-registered oil tanker MT SOUNION, which was set on fire by Houthi militants last month. The vessel, carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, has been towed to a safe area approximately 81 kilometers offshore Eritrea in the Red Sea under the protection of the EU-led Operation ASPIDES. The vessel remains on fire.
Since November 2023, the Iranian-backed Houthis have attacked over 80 commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, resulting in two sunken ships, four seafarer deaths, and one vessel remaining captive along with its crew.
The attacks, claimed to be in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Gaza conflict, continue to pose significant challenges to global maritime trade and security.
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