Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jul 5
Armed Skiff Attacks Cargo Ship 30 Nautical Miles Off Yemen as Guards Return Fire
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jul 5

Armed Skiff Attacks Cargo Ship 30 Nautical Miles Off Yemen as Guards Return Fire

3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Jul 5

Summary

  • UKMTO said a bulk carrier sent a distress alert after unknown armed assailants in a skiff opened fire 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeida in the Red Sea.
  • The vessel's security team returned fire, and the skiff then withdrew to a larger ship about 2 nautical miles away; no group immediately claimed responsibility.
  • Hodeida is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis, who began targeting commercial shipping in 2023 over the Gaza war and have disrupted one of the world's busiest trade routes.
  • The latest attack also comes amid renewed regional tension after the Houthis vowed in 2026 to resume strikes, while Somali pirates have also been active in the nearby Gulf of Aden.

Insights

Beyond ships, are the Red Sea's vital undersea data cables the next target in this escalating conflict?
Will this Red Sea attack unravel global supply chains and trigger a new spike in energy prices?
After a fragile ceasefire, does this new Red Sea attack signal a deliberate proxy escalation by Iran?