Reports on Incident Involving Drone in the Southern Red Sea

The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported on Wednesday that it had received reports regarding an incident involving what is suspected to be a drone west of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, and urged passing vessels in the area to exercise caution. The British maritime security company Ambrey also stated on Wednesday that it was aware of a drone-related incident in the same area, adding that it is investigating the matter. No further details have been provided regarding the incident, which comes following a series of attacks in the waters of the Middle East since the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement (Hamas) on October 7. The U.S. military stated on Sunday that three merchant vessels were attacked in the southern Red Sea. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility on Sunday for drone and missile attacks on two Israeli vessels in the region. It announced that the attacks were a response to the demands of Yemenis and calls from Islamic countries to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.