On Wednesday, British maritime security firm Ambrey disclosed its awareness of a missile-related sighting in the Gulf of Aden. In response, Ambrey issued advisories to vessels near Socotra, urging them to minimize bridge manning and cease all crew deck movement.
The revelation from Ambrey comes amid heightened tensions in the region. US and British warplanes have recently conducted extensive attacks on a crucial airport in western Yemen. These airstrikes are part of efforts by both nations to pressure Yemen into halting its pro-Palestine activities in regional waters.
Reports indicate that multiple rounds of bombardments targeted the international airport in Hudaydah, a port city in Yemen. These attacks closely followed reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British navy subsidiary overseeing Middle East waterways, regarding an incident involving commercial shipping off the coast of Yemen.
Confirming the attack, Ambrey also verified an assault on a ship in the Gulf of Aden. According to the UKMTO, a bomb-laden drone struck the Genco Picardy, a US-owned vessel, approximately 110 kilometers southeast of the southern Yemeni port of Aden.
Yemen’s military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, corroborated the incident, confirming that the targeted vessel was the bulk carrier Genco Picardy. The situation underscores the escalating tensions and security risks in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas.