Cargo Ship Attacked in Red Sea by Armed Skiff
A cargo ship was attacked in the Red Sea. It happened 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeida, Yemen.
A small armed boat called a skiff approached and opened fire. Security guards on board fired back.
The skiff then sailed to a larger nearby ship. That larger ship had its tracking system switched off.
The cargo ship and crew were reported safe. No group has claimed responsibility.
The attack follows a vow by Houthi rebels to resume attacks on shipping. Houthis are an Iran-backed armed group that controls Hodeida.
They announced a return to attacks on ships in February 2026. This came after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The attack happened during a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US.
Klear Note — Houthi rebels control Yemen's Red Sea coast and attack ships regularly. The Red Sea is a major shipping route between Europe and Asia. Recent US-Israel airstrikes on Iran triggered renewed Houthi attacks on cargo vessels.
Key Terms 5
- Skiff A small fast boat, sometimes used in attacks at sea
- Houthis An armed group in Yemen backed and supported by Iran
- Red Sea A major shipping route between Europe, Asia and Africa
- Ceasefire An agreement to stop fighting, often temporary or fragile
- AIS transponder A device ships use so others can track their location