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British officials have warned shipping in the Red Sea to “exercise caution” after a vessel was ordered to change course by “an entity” claiming to be the Yemeni authorities.
The incident comes after a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters since the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7.
On Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had “received reports of an entity declaring itself to be the Yemeni authorities, ordering a vessel to alter course in the Southern Red Sea.”
Agency officials added: “Vessels in the vicinity are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
On Sunday, the US military reported three commercial vessels coming under attack in the Southern Red Sea.