Aden – British maritime security firm Ambrey has issued an alert regarding a maritime security incident that occurred off the coast of Ahwar, a coastal area in southern Yemen. 

The firm reported it was “aware of an ongoing incident” in the region but did not immediately provide further details.

The incident is believed to have involved a Comoros-flagged livestock carrier, which came under armed attack by unidentified assailants aboard a wooden boat. According to multiple maritime sources, the attackers opened fire with small arms as the vessel sailed northward through the Red Sea. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also received reports of two explosions near the ship during the attack.

The vessel was reportedly detained temporarily by the Yemeni Coast Guard, which is affiliated with the Houthi group, due to concerns over the ship’s AIS tracking system being turned off. The ship was later released after inspection, according to a Yemeni maritime official cited by Reuters.

Ambrey’s alert has raised renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions and previous incidents involving drone and missile threats to maritime traffic.

No injuries or casualties have been reported, and the vessel has since resumed its course. However, maritime authorities have urged heightened vigilance for all vessels transiting the area, especially those with livestock or high-value cargo.

This latest incident underscores the volatile security environment in Yemeni waters and the growing risks to international maritime trade in the region.