A cargo vessel has come under attack by unidentified armed individuals in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 92 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Al-Mukalla port.
On May 1, a small black-hulled skiff carrying seven armed men approached the vessel to within 10 meters, attempting to board it. However, due to the crew’s vigilance, rapid evasive manoeuvres, and a strong deterrent response from onboard armed guards, the attempt was thwarted and the attackers were forced to retreat.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center stated that the defensive measures taken during the incident played a decisive role in preventing the boarding.
Meanwhile, the EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation group has warned of a sharp increase in activity by both Houthi-linked groups and Somali pirates in the region over the past two weeks. According to reports, two vessels—one tanker and one bulk carrier—have recently been hijacked and taken toward the Somali coast.
