ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced on Wednesday that it received a report of an incident approximately 57 nautical miles south of Yemen's southern port city of Aden.
According to the report, the master of a vessel in the area reported two explosions in the water close to the ship. The crew is reported to be safe, and the vessel is continuing on to its next port of call.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident. No further details have been provided about the vessel involved or the nature of the explosions.
Shipping companies have been advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and to report any suspicious activity to the UKMTO immediately.
Earlier in the day, a crew member of a Greek-flagged commercial ship was shot and wounded in an armed attack and shelling targeting the vessel in the Red Sea off the coast of Hodeidah, western Yemen, according to a senior Yemeni government naval official.
The commercial ship, named MV SOUNION, came under attack about 77.5 nautical miles west of Hodeidah and was then shelled by the Houthis, causing damage. The ship is currently reported to be out of the militants' control.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest incidents near Hodeidah and Aden. The Houthi militants, who have been behind previous attacks, have not issued any statements regarding these maritime attacks.
The incidents occur 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 Israel-Hamas conflict.
In response, the U.S.-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes against Houthi military sites, further escalating the tit-for-tat exchanges. ■
