A commercial ship came under attack Sunday in the Red Sea off Yemen’s southwest coast, as eight small boats opened fire with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and security firm Ambrey.
Armed guards aboard the vessel reportedly returned fire. The incident, which took place roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, is still unfolding. Neither UKMTO nor Ambrey disclosed the ship’s name or origin.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the area has seen repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement over the past year. Sunday’s assault is the first reported by maritime security agencies since April.
The Red Sea flashpoint comes amid heightened regional instability following the 12-day Israel–Iran war and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. Tensions remain particularly high after recent warnings from the Houthis, who have threatened to strike U.S. vessels if Washington supports Israeli military actions.
Since late 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have launched more than 100 attacks on commercial ships, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their campaign has included the sinking of two ships, the seizure of another, and the deaths of at least four crew members.
In May, President Donald Trump announced a halt to U.S. strikes on the Houthis following an agreement brokered by Oman. The Houthis, in turn, pledged to stop disrupting major maritime routes. However, in June, they again warned of targeting U.S. vessels if Washington intervened in the Israel–Iran conflict.
So far, it remains unclear whether Sunday’s attackers are linked to the Houthis or represent another armed faction operating in the Red Sea corridor.