Merchant ship fired upon in Red Sea. 'First major attack in months'

A merchant ship was attacked in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO), which is run by the British Armed Forces, said on Sunday. The ship was taking on water and the crew was preparing to abandon it.

The agency wrote on the X portal that the ship, which was attacked with small arms and grenade launchers, among other things, responded with fire. It was later reported that drones with bombs were also used in the attack. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Associated Press (AP) quoted maritime security firm Ambrey as saying that the merchant ship was “attacked by eight boats while passing north in the Red Sea” and the attack is still ongoing.

As a result of the attacks, the ship began taking in water on Sunday evening, and the crew was preparing to abandon it, the British military said, as quoted by AP.

In the region, attacks on commercial vessels have been carried out by Yemeni Houthi rebels, who between November 2023 and January 2025 shelled more than 100 ships, sinking two and killing four sailors, the AP recalled. As the agency noted, it was the first major attack in months in this important maritime passage.

Their actions have significantly restricted the flow of goods through the Red Sea.

“A renewed Houthi campaign against shipping could draw U.S. and Western forces back into the region, especially after President Donald Trump directed a campaign of intense airstrikes against the rebels,” the AP noted.

"Pirates from Somalia are also active in the region, although they usually try to take over ships in order to rob them or ransom their crews," the agency added. (PAP)

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