A cargo ship was attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea on July 5, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred approximately 35 miles southwest of the city of Hodeida, a key port controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The UKMTO reported that the vessel came under fire from unknown armed assailants who approached in a small skiff. The security personnel aboard the bulk carrier returned fire in response to the attack. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the ship.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault, and a spokesperson for the Houthi movement did not provide any comment regarding the incident. The attack is the latest in a series of maritime security threats in the area, as the Red Sea remains a critical and volatile corridor for international shipping amid ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen.

The situation off Yemen’s coast continues to pose challenges for commercial shipping, with various armed groups operating in the region and the security environment complicated by the prolonged civil war. The UKMTO and international naval forces maintain heightened vigilance to protect maritime traffic navigating this strategic waterway.