ADEN, Yemen, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Sunday reported a security incident involving a sailing vessel in the Red Sea, about 54 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen.
In a statement on the social media platform X, UKMTO said that the vessel was approached by a skiff carrying 10 to 12 individuals, of whom four to five were armed with automatic weapons.
According to the report, the occupants ordered the sailing vessel to stop. When the vessel's master refused, the skiff attempted to maneuver alongside in an apparent effort to board.
The situation de-escalated after the master deployed a flare, prompting the skiff to turn away and head southeast.
No injuries or damage were reported in the incident.
UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise heightened caution and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
The incident highlights ongoing security risks in the Red Sea and nearby shipping lanes. The waterway has seen repeated attacks on commercial vessels in recent years, many widely attributed to Houthi forces.
The group has said that such operations were aimed at pressuring Israel and its allies, in what it describes as support for Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. ■
