This Monday, an explosion occurred on a shipping lane off the coast of Yemen, where, according to the Houthi rebels, there had been multiple attacks on cargo traffic, two maritime security authorities reported.
Britain's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency warned of a “potential explosion” near a ship passing through the strategic Bab al Mandeb Strait, which separates the Horn of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
“A captain reported (…) an explosion that occurred 2 miles from his ship while underway,” the Ambrey agency also said.
The incident coincides with a visit to the region by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to focus on maritime security.
Austin, who arrived in Bahrain this Monday, will speak about “the United States' efforts to bring together multilateral coalitions with the aim of responding to aggression at sea that threatens maritime transport and the global economy,” said a statement This was published by the US Department of Defense this weekend.
Iranbacked Houthi rebels have launched a series of drone and missile attacks on boats in the Red Sea in recent weeks, saying they were acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israelibombed Gaza Strip.
As a result of these attacks, four major shipping companies decided to stop sailing through the Bab alMandeb Strait, through which 40% of international trade passes.
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