United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Thursday that it was notified of a ship incident near the coast of Oman. “UKMTO has received a report of an incident approximately 50NM [nautical miles] East of Sohar, Oman” the institution explained on its X account, adding that officials are currently inspecting the details surrounding the incident. Additionally, all the vessels were advised to navigate the area “with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.” Recently, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed launching an attack on a warship with the United States flag in the Red Sea.
UK: Armed people aboard ship near Oman
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Thursday that between four to five armed people burst in aboard the vessel near the Oman coast. “Unauthorized boarders are reported to be wearing military style black uniforms with black masks,” the organization said on its official X account, adding that officials remain attentive to clarify details on the trespassing. Additionally, minutes earlier it was noted that communication with the vessel was interrupted after hearing “unknown voices over the phone along with the Masters’ voice.”
Shapps does not rule out attacking Houthis on land
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps issued another warning on Wednesday to Houthis regarding their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Earlier today, the United Kingdom and the United States repelled the “largest attack” by the Yemeni group in the area to date, which included drones and missiles. Shapps said that “enough is enough” and that these incidents “cannot continue,” refusing to rule out the possibility of launching strikes on Houthi targets on land. He repeated that there is “no doubt whatsoever that the Iranians are heavily behind” the Houthis, providing military equipment and funding as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.