Sanaa: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a ship was attacked on Sunday by gunmen with weapons and rocket-propelled grenades in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes at a time when tensions remain high in the Middle East due to the war between Israel and Hamas, the war between Iran and Israel, and the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, UKMTO, which is overseen by the British military, said that an armed security team on board the ship returned fire, adding that “the situation is ongoing.” The UKMTO added that “the authorities are investigating.”

Ambry, a maritime security firm, issued a warning stating that a commercial vessel “was attacked by eight small boats while sailing north in the Red Sea.” Ambry said, “Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) struck the port side of the vessel, causing damage to its cargo.” The firm added that it believes the attack is ongoing. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in the Middle East, referred inquiries to U.S. Central Command, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is worth noting that the Houthis in Yemen have launched attacks in the Red Sea against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, but the ceasefire has largely held.