Following the Houthi leader's threats yesterday, reports indicate that unauthorized individuals — believed to be Houthi operatives — boarded a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden near the port of Al-Makalla. The incident follows an earlier report of a Houthi takeover of the same ship. The vessel's identity and crew status have not yet been confirmed.
The latest report specifies that the Houthi boarding of a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden occurred near the port of Al-Makalla, following threats issued by the Houthi leader yesterday. This provides a geographic anchor for the incident reported earlier today.
At 12:10 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that unauthorized individuals — believed to be Houthi operatives — boarded a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Within the same minute, further reports indicated the Houthis had taken control of the ship. The initial source was Abu Ali Express, citing sources. The new report, also from Abu Ali Express, adds the location near Al-Makalla.
The Houthi movement has repeatedly targeted commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, framing the attacks as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. As The Zioneer has reported, recent incidents include a suspected Houthi attack on an oil tanker with fast attack boats (June 17) and a UKMTO report of a security incident off Hodeidah (July 5). The group has also been the target of an IDF strike on a Houthi-operated merchant vessel (July 1).
The vessel's identity, nationality, crew status, and cargo remain unconfirmed. The reports are based on a single source (Abu Ali Express), and no official confirmation from the Houthis or maritime authorities has been released. The desk continues to monitor.
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