Explosion Near Ship in Gulf of Aden Raises Concerns Amid Escalating Houthi Attacks

A British maritime monitoring authority announced that an explosion occurred near a commercial ship while it was sailing in Gulf of Aden, about 120 nautical miles (approximately 222 kilometers) east of the Yemeni city of Aden, in an incident that comes amid rising tensions in the Red Sea following the war in Gaza.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations "UKMTO" stated that it received a report from the ship's captain who reported hearing a loud explosion and splashing water near the ship, noting that the incident occurred early on Tuesday morning.

The authority clarified in its statement that the ship did not sustain any material damage, and no injuries were recorded among its crew members, adding that the ship continued on its way to the next port designated in its voyage.

Although no party has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, the British authority described it as an "attack" that warrants an investigation by the relevant authorities, without providing further details about the nature of the explosion or the potential responsible party.

This incident comes amid escalating threats facing international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where the Iran-backed Houthi group has been carrying out repeated attacks against cargo ships that it claims are linked to Israel or "hostile" interests, under the pretext of supporting the Palestinian cause.

The Houthis had previously announced earlier this month that they targeted an "Israeli" oil tanker with a missile in the Red Sea, following an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of their prime minister and a large number of their leaders in Sana'a.

As investigations into the recent explosion continue, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remain at the center of international attention, being a vital artery for global trade facing increasing threats due to regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.