ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A crew member of a Greek-flagged commercial ship was shot and wounded on Wednesday in an armed attack and shelling targeting the vessel in the Red Sea off the coast of Hodeidah, western Yemen, a senior Yemeni government naval official told Xinhua.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the commercial ship, named MV SOUNION, came under attack about 77.5 nautical miles west of Hodeidah.
According to the official, two boats of the Houthi group approached the ship and requested it stop for a security check, but the ship's armed security team displayed their weapons, prompting the boats to open fire. The security team returned fire, and the boats eventually withdrew.
However, the official said a third Houthi boat was later spotted and opened fire on the ship, including what was possibly a rocket-propelled grenade, wounding one of the crew members.
Later, the ship was shelled by the Houthis, causing damage, the official said, confirming that the ship is currently out of the command's control.
Earlier in the day, Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a maritime security incident occurring approximately 77 nautical miles west of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
It reported that a merchant vessel was subject to an armed approach and subsequent attack, resulting in the ship being rendered "not under command."
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for this latest incident.
The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions in the region. Since November 2023, Houthi militants based in Yemen have been conducting attacks on international shipping near the country's coastline, reportedly in solidarity with Palestinians in the conflict in Gaza.
In response to the Houthi maritime attacks, the U.S.-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes against Houthi military sites. However, it has only served to further escalate the tit-for-tat exchanges, with the Houthis vowing to continue targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel. ■
