UKMTO: Armed men in speedboats trigger maritime incident off Yemen

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has received a report of an incident approximately 76 nautical miles south of the port of Balhaf, Yemen.

According to a company security officer, several small boats carrying individuals armed with small arms approached a commercial vessel. The crew subsequently retreated to the ship's citadel and is reported to be safe.

The captain of a nearby vessel claimed to have heard gunfire from small arms, although this information has not yet been independently verified.

“UKMTO are continuing to investigate. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the organisation said in a statement.

By Jeyhun Aghazada