Maritime Security Alert: Unidentified Individuals Attack Ship Near Bosaso, Somalia

Watan-The British Maritime Trade Operations (BMTO) announced on Thursday that it had received a distress call report from a ship reportedly attacked by unknown individuals east of Bosaso in Somalia.

Providing further details, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Agency stated that they received a distress call transmitted via Very High-Frequency (VHF) channels from a ship reportedly boarded by unidentified persons near 1203N 06120E, approximately 700 nautical miles east of Bosaso, Somalia.

The agency’s statement clarified that authorities are investigating the matter, advising ships to navigate with caution and report any suspicious activity.

While no additional information is available about the incident or the reason for intercepting the ship’s path, it is noted that the Arabian Sea has recently witnessed heightened tensions since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.

Several ships in the Red Sea have been intercepted by the Houthi group from Yemen, stating that they did so in solidarity with Gaza and in response to Israeli aggression.

UKMTO WARNING 008/DEC/2023 – UPDATE 001

BOARDING

Warnings – 2023 (https://t.co/5An1YH0JyE)#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/qlNeTmQxLJ

— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) December 14, 2023

Earlier on Tuesday, the Houthis warned that they would “continue to prevent all ships of all nationalities heading to Israeli ports from sailing in the Arabian and Red Seas” until food and medicine are provided for the Gaza Strip.

They also claimed responsibility for an attack on the oil and chemical tanker registered in Norway (Strenda). The group has held the Israeli ship “Galaxy Leader” for three weeks, seizing it in a maritime operation documented in a video.

Houthi naval activities have escalated since the start of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on October 7th, with the movement declaring any ship heading to Israel a “legitimate target.”