UKMTO Advises Vessels To Transit With Caution After Warning Shots Near Aden

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has downgraded a reported armed incident southwest of Aden, Yemen, to “suspicious activity” after confirming that only warning shots were fired and no weapons were directed at any vessel.

The incident occurred approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden on Tuesday.

UKMTO had initially received a report of an exchange of small-arms fire after a vessel was approached and hailed by a white skiff carrying five persons.

In a subsequent update, UKMTO said it had been informed that the shots fired were warning shots only.

It clarified that no weapons were aimed at either vessel involved. Two additional skiffs were reported in the vicinity at the time of the encounter.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and to report any suspicious activity.

Since 2023, Yemen’s Houthi militants have carried out numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, stating that the actions were in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s war in Gaza.

However, such attacks have halted following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered in October.

Despite the pause in attacks, some shipping companies remain cautious about resuming voyages through the Red Sea corridor.

Previous incidents disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.

The region has also previously seen activity by Somali pirate gangs, which commonly operated small, fast open boats known as skiffs.

Reference: UKMTO

Source: Maritime Shipping News