Overview
- A cargo vessel issued a distress alert after coming under fire about 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah on Sunday, July 5, and the ship continued its voyage with all crew reported safe.
- Onboard armed security returned fire and forced the attackers to retreat, UK Maritime Trade Operations and the British military said.
- UKMTO reported the attackers approached in a small skiff that then rejoined a larger vessel about 2 nautical miles away whose automatic identification system was switched off.
- Maritime authorities have opened an inquiry and issued cautionary advisories for the area while no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
- The incident echoes a campaign of Red Sea attacks since late 2023 widely attributed to Iran-aligned Houthi forces and could renew pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb route, raising the chance of reroutes around the Cape of Good Hope and higher costs for shippers and insurers.