British maritime agency warns of security incident off Yemen

LONDON — The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday that a security incident had been reported 76 nautical miles south of Belhaf, a town in southeastern Yemen. In an advisory bulletin posted on X, the agency said a vessel's security officer reported that small boats approached the ship and that individuals on the boats were carrying small arms. The UKMTO confirmed that the crew of the affected vessel had gathered in the ship's safe area, the Citadel, and were reported to be safe. The advisory did not identify the ship, its flag, or the operator. Yemeni waters off the southern coast have faced prolonged security risks because of Houthi military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a corridor used by international commercial shipping. UKMTO called on commercial vessel crews operating in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. No further details on the incident were immediately available.