An LNG tanker was targeted in an armed attack by a small boat carrying seven assailants approximately 140 nautical miles southeast of Al-Mukalla, near the coast of Yemen's Hadhramaut Governorate. The incident highlights escalating security risks to commercial shipping in the region.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported receiving a distress call from the tanker's captain detailing the approach of the small vessel. According to the UKMTO's security advisory, the assailants fired two shots toward the tanker. Security personnel aboard the vessel responded with two warning shots, prompting the boat to alter course and withdraw.
The identity of the tanker, its nationality, and the attackers remain undisclosed. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries or material damage resulting from the incident. The UKMTO has urged vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities, stating that the circumstances are under ongoing investigation.
This attack occurs amid heightened maritime security concerns in the waters surrounding Yemen, coinciding with broader military tensions in the region. Such escalations raise fears regarding the impact on the safety of commercial shipping and crew welfare.
The UKMTO had previously reported two separate attacks on tankers northeast of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. One tanker sustained damage from an unknown projectile, while another was hit by a rocket-propelled projectile fired from a small boat, causing hull damage but no crew injuries.
