UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 129
A merchant vessel faced repeated attacks while transiting through the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on Monday, underscoring the continued maritime security risks in the region.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed, without evidence, that Yemeni Armed Forces targeted three ships.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office reported that a merchant ship was targeted three times in close succession.
The first incident occurred at 1435 UTC, approximately 25 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen, when the vessel’s Master reported an explosion in close proximity. A second explosion was reported by the vessel just 28 minutes later at 1503 UTC. At 1637 UTC, the same Master reported a third explosion in close proximity to the vessel.
Despite the attacks, the UKMTO confirmed that “the vessel and crew are reported safe”.
According to Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group, the incident involved the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier named MOTARO, which “reported under attack by a projectile or explosive device while transiting the Red Sea.” The explosion reportedly occurred just 150 meters from the vessel.
A subsequent attack was described as a “possible bomb, projectile or missile,” with the explosion reported 200 meters from the vessel. Kelly noted that the vessel was not hit.
“The Houthis have attacked the same vessel on several occasions during recent incidents indicating further attacks against the vessel are likely,” Kelly stated.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed, without evidence, that Yemeni Armed Forces targeted three ships: Motaro, Maersk Kowloon, and Montreal.
The statement claimed the attacks on the Maersk Kowloon and Montreal took place in the Arabian Sea and were successful. “The three ships were targeted due to the companies’ violation of a ban on entering ports in occupied Palestine,” they stated.
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