Red Sea, July 7 (V7N) – A commercial vessel has come under attack off the southwestern coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO). The agency, which monitors maritime security, reported the incident in a notice to mariners and shared details with international partners.
 
The attack occurred in one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime corridors — the southern Red Sea — through which a significant portion of global trade passes. The exact nature of the assault and the parties responsible remain unclear, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
 
UKMTO confirmed that the vessel’s crew reported the incident and followed emergency procedures. The ship's condition and the well-being of the crew were not immediately known at the time of publication. Naval forces in the area are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
 
The Red Sea has witnessed an increase in maritime security threats in recent years, particularly amid rising tensions in the wider Middle East. The strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, situated near the location of this latest attack, is a critical chokepoint for oil and cargo shipments moving between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
 
Shipping and defense analysts have warned that the area remains vulnerable to drone and missile attacks, especially amid the backdrop of the conflict in Yemen and other regional flashpoints.
 
The UKMTO continues to advise vessels transiting the Red Sea to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity.
 
Further investigation into the incident is ongoing, and more information is expected to emerge as authorities assess the scale and implications of the attack.
 
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