Warning as 12 ‘Suspicious’ Boats Stalk Yacht in Houthi Rebel Stronghold

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning to vessels in the Gulf of Aden after a yacht reported being shadowed by up to 12 small craft while navigating waters near Yemen.

The incident, which took place on November 21, occurred approximately 74 nautical miles southwest of Aden, according to UKMTO.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have increasingly targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since Yemen’s civil war began in 2015. Using missiles, drones and small boats, they aim to disrupt shipping and exert political pressure.

These attacks, often near Houthi-controlled areas like Aden, have made the region one of the most dangerous for maritime traffic. Despite international condemnation, the threat remains persistent, highlighting the ongoing instability in Yemen and its impact on global shipping.

According to the yacht’s captain, the suspicious boats followed the vessel’s course for two hours, despite evasive maneuvers deployed to shake them off. One of the small craft managed to close in to within 1 nautical mile of the yacht before it veered away. The crew reported that they were unharmed and the yacht continued its journey to its next port of call without further incident.

A Royal Navy spokesperson told Newsweek: “The UK Maritime Trade Organisation routinely provides maritime security information notices to merchant vessels. It would be inappropriate to comment further on specific incidents.”

It remains unknown if the vessels that shadowed the yacht were linked to Houthi rebels or pirates. Newsweek understands the UKMTO has not determined whether the incident was related to Houthi activity.

UKMTO issued a safety warning urging all vessels to exercise heightened caution in the region and report any suspicious activities immediately.

The area has long been a hotspot for maritime incidents linked to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, with both military and non-state actors frequently engaging in such disruptive activities. The UKMTO’s warning underscores the persistent threats in these high-risk waters, particularly in proximity to Houthi-controlled territories.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a series of unsuccessful attacks against two U.S. Navy destroyers with drones and missiles on November 12, per a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The rebels launched a coordinated attack with at least eight drones, five ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles targeting the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance as they passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Despite the scale of the assault, both ships emerged unscathed and there were no reported injuries, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder.

The strait, a crucial passageway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, typically sees an estimated $1 trillion in goods passing through it annually.

Houthi forces have increased attacks in the area in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and Israel’s ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Houthis have said the attacks will continue as long as Israel wages war on both parties.