Explosions Reported in Red Sea Shipping Lane off Yemen Coast: Reuters

Explosions Reported in Red Sea Shipping Lane off Yemen Coast: Reuters
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Here are some key points:

What happened:

     Two separate incidents of explosions occurred near vessels in the Red Sea.

     In the first incident, two unmanned aircraft were observed before two explosions near a vessel located 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah.

     In the second incident, an explosion and missiles were seen near a vessel located 60 nautical miles from Hodeidah, followed by another reported explosion nearby.

     Details about the vessels involved, their cargo, and their origin/destination remain unknown.

Key uncertainties:

     Whether the incidents involved the same vessel is unclear.

     The source of the drones/missiles and who is responsible for the explosions is unknown.

     No claim of responsibility has been made yet.

Context:

     These incidents come amidst rising tensions in the region and recent attacks on vessels by Yemen's Houthis.

     The Houthis claim their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

     The United States recently announced a multinational maritime security initiative in the Red Sea in response to these attacks.

Potential risks:

     These incidents raise concerns about the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea.

     They could further escalate tensions in the region.

What to watch for:

     Further information about the incidents, including potential claims of responsibility or attribution.

     The impact of these incidents on maritime traffic and shipping in the Red Sea.

     Any potential responses from the international community or regional actors.

 Detailed News from Reuters:

 Explosions in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen were reported on Tuesday after sightings of unmanned aircraft and missiles in two separate incidents, a British maritime authority said.

Two unmanned aircraft were observed before two explosions occurred 5 nautical miles from a vessel located 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah on Yemen's west coast, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations authority said in an advisory.

In an apparent separate incident, an explosion was heard and missiles were seen 4 nautical miles from a vessel 60 nautical miles from Hodeidah, the authority said. Another explosion was reported to have occurred 0.5 nautical miles from the same vessel, it said.

It was not immediately clear if the incidents involved the same vessel, which the authority did not identify. Cargo details or an indication of where the vessel or vessels were sailing to or had sailed from were also not disclosed.

In both incidents the vessel and crew were reported to be safe.

The British authority did not say from where the reported drones or missiles originated and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The reported incidents come a week after the United States announced a multinational maritime security initiative in the Red Sea in response to attacks on vessels by Yemen's Houthis.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia has attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October, a campaign the group says is in solidarity with Palestinians besieged by Israel in Gaza.

 (Courtesy: Reuters)

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