Ship Sinks Off Southwest Yemen After Being Targeted By An Uncrewed Surface Vessel

A ship sank off the Yemeni coast after being targeted by an unknown uncrewed surface vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed.

According to the maritime agency, the incident occurred around 9 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Al Mukha, and the news of the same was given by the ship’s Company Security Officer or CSO.

The CSO informed that following the sudden attack by the uncrewed vessel, there was a fire onboard the ship.

Though the crew members were safely rescued by local authorities and are safe, the vessel sank.

The ship’s name has not been revealed, and no more details about the incident have been provided, as the investigation has just begun and further updates are awaited.

After this incident, UKMTO reiterated its previous warning to ships and seafarers transiting the region that they should remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity or objects to the agency.

Attacks on ships have increased lately, after Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia’s ports, leading to the formation of a multinational coalition comprising Saudi’s partners and allies to fight the Iran-backed group in the Red Sea.

Recently, Yemen criticised the Houthi attack on Indian commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Auliya, which led to its sinking in the Red Sea, though all 14 crew members, of which 13 were Indians and 1 Turkish, were rescued by local authorities.

The Yemeni Coast Guard, in coordination with the Yemeni Navy, carried out the search and rescue operation, and their efforts were appreciated by Yemen’s Foreign Ministry, which underlined the importance of the newly formed coalition led by Saudi Arabia to protect shipping in the region.

The Ministry added that the coalition is vital to protect ships, seafarers and critical infrastructure from Houthi Attacks, and also safeguard maritime chokepoints like the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.