Ship faces attack in Gulf of Aden amid Houthi threats

On September 23, 2025, a ship encountered an attack while operating off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. Officials confirmed the incident but reported no injuries among the vessel's crew. The details surrounding the attack remain unclear, as the assailants have not been identified immediately. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center provided a statement indicating that the captain of the ship reported hearing a splash and an explosion near the vessel, but reassured that both the vessel and crew were safe and continued to their next destination. This attack occurred approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles) from the coast of Aden, a region under the control of forces loyal to Yemen's exiled government. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been responsible for a series of similar attacks on maritime routes in the Red Sea, although they have not claimed responsibility for this specific incident yet. Typically, the Houthis take hours or even days to make such claims following an assault. Their aggressive actions have been tied to a broader campaign of missile and drone strikes on Israel and ships, which they state is in solidarity with the Palestinian situation amid the ongoing war in Gaza, further escalating tensions in the region. For the past two years, the situation has significantly disrupted shipping routes in the Red Sea, through which vast amounts of goods worth approximately $1 trillion transit annually. The Houthis had paused their maritime attacks during a brief ceasefire agreement, yet they have resumed their aggressive stance afterward. This has resulted in heightened military responses, including an intense campaign of airstrikes ordered previously by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at undermining the Houthis' capabilities. Significant previous incidents include the sinking of two vessels in July 2023, where at least four individuals were killed, and others were reported missing, thought to potentially be captured by the rebels. This context highlights the continuous risks facing maritime operations in the region and reflects the volatile nature of security in one of the world's critical shipping corridors.