Aden, August 6: A tanker near the southern coast of Yemen reported hearing a loud explosion in the Gulf of Aden. This incident comes amid rising maritime security concerns following a new campaign by Houthi rebels targeting vessels in the region.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced on social media that the explosion occurred approximately 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden.
A statement from the tanker’s master confirmed the loud blast, assuring that all crew members are safe.
Residents in the Houthi-controlled area of Mukayras in Yemen’s central Al-Bayda province informed the Xinhua news agency that a missile had been launched from their area towards the Gulf of Aden.
It remains unclear whether the two incidents are connected, and the Houthis have not claimed responsibility as of yet.
This explosion comes amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Earlier on Monday, a cargo ship reported being attacked by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman.
According to UKMTO, this incident occurred near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman.
Additionally, an Indian-flagged cargo ship sank following an attack by an explosives-laden boat near Yemen’s western coast in the Red Sea. Reports from the Xinhua agency indicate that Yemeni forces rescued all 14 crew members, which included 13 Indian sailors and one Yemeni national. However, details regarding the timing of the attack were not disclosed.
The government-supported National Resistance Forces (NRF) stated that coast guard and naval units conducted a joint operation to rescue the crew of the vessel named ‘Fayze Noore Olya.’ This ship was attacked approximately 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah.
All 14 individuals on board were safely rescued and taken to a secure location, receiving medical assistance with no reported casualties. The NRF has attributed this attack to the Houthi group, but there has been no response from the Houthis regarding the incident.
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