Yemeni government condemns attempt to target oil tanker with bomb-laden boat

Aden, Aug 8 (KUNA) -- The Yemeni government on Saturday condemned a Houthi militia attempt to target an oil tanker anchored at the Al-Mukha port in the Taiz governorate on the Red Sea using a booby-trapped boat, describing the act as an attack that threatens the safety of navigation, vital infrastructure, personnel, and the marine environment.

The Yemeni Ministry of Transport said in a statement that naval patrols belonging to the National Resistance Forces spotted a boat approaching the coast of the Al-Mukha power plant station on Friday, coinciding with the presence of the oil tanker at its anchorage site in the port. The relevant authorities then took the necessary measures and detonated the boat before it reached the restricted zone within the port’s perimeter.

The ministry emphasized that these hostile acts pose a serious threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation in the Red Sea, endangering commercial and oil tankers and their crews, and risking severe environmental damage if ships carrying petroleum derivatives or hazardous materials are targeted.

It warned of the dangers of oil spills and the pollution of waters, coastlines, and marine resources, reaffirming that the protection of waterways and coastlines, as well as the preservation of the marine environment, is a shared national and humanitarian responsibility.

The Ministry of Transport called on the international community and international maritime organizations and bodies to adopt a clear and firm stance against these attacks and to work to ensure freedom of navigation, secure commercial vessels, and protect the marine environment in the Red Sea.

It stressed the continuation of coordination with relevant authorities to monitor the incident and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of maritime navigation and protect Yemeni ships, infrastructure, and ports from any threats or hostile acts. (End) S.N.S. / R.J.