UKMTO Reports Drone Attack in Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab Strait
RIYADH, Dec 3 (Reuters) – The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) has announced that it received reports of a drone attack in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab strait on Sunday.
The agency had previously reported drone activity originating from Yemen, as well as a potential explosion, and advised vessels in the area to exercise caution.
While Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports, the incident follows a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters since the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7.
Last month, an Israeli-linked cargo ship was seized by the Houthi group, an ally of Iran. The group, which controls most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, has previously launched ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel and has vowed to target more Israeli vessels.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthis on Sunday.
In a separate incident, a U.S. Navy warship responded to a distress call from an Israeli-managed commercial tanker in the Gulf of Aden after it was seized by armed individuals.
Reporting by Ahmed Elimam
Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi
Editing by David Goodman and Bernadette Baum