A U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) aid vessel was attacked off Hodeidah, the main port in Yemen, during the weekend and started a fire in the engine room. No injuries were reported.
The vessel was attacked following a delivery a shipment at Hodeidah, which is held by the Houthis.
As Reuters reported, a WFP spokeswoman informed that an unidentified armed group opened fire and attempted to take over the vessel, which at that time was about 60 km off the Port of Hodeidah. The crew is safe, while the vessels did not sustain any serious damages.
The UN vessel “VOS THEIA” which is transporting relief and humanitarian aid from the port of Djibouti to the port of Hodeidah on a regular basis.
The VOS THEIA left Hodeidah port on Saturday, June 2, after unloading its cargo and went to the anchorage area waiting for a permit to exit from the so-called Arab alliance, and when they gave it the permit to exit, they attacked the tag boat.
The United Nations aid chief, Mark Lowcock, noted that the incident is now over and everyone is safe.
The Yemeni Red Sea Ports Corporation stated:
Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation considers the attack on the VOS THEIA, that provides the country with assistance , relief and humanitarian aid for the organizations working in Yemen, a dangerous sign of breaking and ignoring the international legal covenant and known maritime customs,.
