ADEN, Yemen, June 15 (Xinhua) -- A tanker came under attack in waters southeast of Yemen's port city of Aden after armed men aboard a small skiff opened fire on the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident approximately 111 nautical miles southeast of Aden.
According to the statement, a tanker was approached by a small skiff carrying four individuals. The occupants of the skiff were armed and opened fire on the vessel using a rocket-propelled grenade, UKMTO said.
No immediate information was available regarding casualties, damage to the vessel, or the identity of the attackers.
"Authorities are investigating," UKMTO said in a brief statement.
Earlier on Monday, a container vessel reported coming under attack from a small armed skiff about 14 nautical miles south of Yemen's coast, with the assailants opening fire while attempting to board the ship, according to UKMTO.
The waters off Yemen, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea, are among the world's most strategically important shipping routes.
The region has witnessed repeated maritime security incidents in recent months, including piracy, armed attacks and disruptions linked to regional conflicts, prompting international naval forces to maintain a heightened security presence. ■
