Armed Men Approach Merchant Vessel Near Eritrea’s Massawa Port In Red Sea

Ship — Image for representation purposes only

A merchant vessel reported being targeted by small arms fire in the Red Sea, approximately 92 nautical miles northeast of Eritrea’s Massawa Port, per the British Maritime Security Firm Ambrey.

The incident occurred near the Yemeni coast, an area already affected by the ongoing maritime security threats.

The UKMTO confirmed receiving a sighting report of a small boat with armed individuals onboard.

The boat was sailing close to a small coastal freighter around 95 nautical miles northeast of Massawa.

The UKMTO’s advisory also stated that the small craft claimed to be part of the Eritrean navy, though this has not yet been independently verified.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists have been actively launching drone and missile attacks on vessels they believe are linked to Israel or the United States.

The continuous attack on the vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea since November 2023 is claimed to be in solidarity with the Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The increasing maritime threat has forced shipping companies to reroute their vessels on lengthier and more costly journeys around Southern Africa.

Reference: Reuters

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