The United Kingdom’s maritime security agency (UKMTO) on Tuesday said that two ships were damaged in separate attacks in 64 nautical miles northwest of Yemen‘s port of Al Hudayah.
One of the vessel was struck by a sea drone, puncturing its ballast tank, while a second ship was hit by a missile less than three hours later, according to the British maritime agency.
First, the British agency reported that a vessel was hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) in the same region. The vessel reported seeing four splashes close by, and that all crew were safe and it was proceeding to its next port of call, the agency added.
“The vessel has been hit by an uncrewed surface vessel. Number 6 port ballast tank has been punctured,” the UKMTO said.
Later, another merchant vessel was hit by a missile off the coast of Hodeida, with all crew members reported safe. “The vessel was attacked by a missile. The vessel has sustained damage. All crew are reported safe,” the UKMTO added.
The agency is currently investigating the incident and has advised vessels to exercise caution while transiting the area and to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the incident yet.
However, since November, the Iran-backed Huthis of Yemen have been conducting attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Huthis have stated that their campaign is meant to demonstrate support for Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza.
In early August, the UKMTO released another incident alert after a missile strike on a ship near the Yemeni coast. The vessel had previously been attacked by assailants in two speedboats who launched an RPG at the ship.