UKMTO reports tanker attacked by small boat off Yemen coast

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on [date not provided] that a tanker was attacked by a small boat off the coast of Yemen. According to the UKMTO statement, at least seven men were on board the small boat, which fired two shots at the tanker. The tanker's armed security team responded by firing two warning shots at the small craft, forcing it to alter course.

The UKMTO did not specify the exact location of the incident beyond saying it occurred off Yemen's coast. The agency also did not identify the tanker or its flag, nor did it provide details on the outcome of the attack or any injuries. The incident is the latest in a series of reported attacks on shipping in the region, particularly near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a vital route for global trade, including oil and gas shipments. In recent months, there have been multiple reports of vessels being targeted in the area, though the perpetrators have not always been identified. The UKMTO regularly issues advisories and reports on maritime security incidents in the region.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The UKMTO's report did not attribute the attack to any specific party. The agency advised vessels in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The incident underscores the ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the region. According to Mehr News, which cited the UKMTO, the attack involved a small boat with at least seven men on board, and the tanker's security team fired warning shots that forced the boat to change course. Further details were not immediately available.