Maritime security firm receives reports of explosions near Yemen coast

Yemeni coastguard members in a patrol boat in the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023 [KHALED ZIAD/AFP via Getty Images]

A merchant vessel reported two explosions near a ship travelling 14 nautical miles south-west of Yemen’s Al Dhubab, British maritime security firm, Ambrey, said on Monday, Reuters reports.

The report followed statements by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which said it had received information about two explosions related to an incident 25 nautical miles south of Yemen’s port of Mokha. The ship and crew were reported safe, and the ship proceeded to its next port of call, UKMTO added.

It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were related.

Al Dhubab and Mokha lie along Yemen’s western coast near the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, making them strategically significant along the Red Sea corridor.

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