Updates: Attacks On Vessels In Middle East Near Yemen Today. US Secretary of Defense Announces "Operation Prosperity Guardian"

A vessel with several armed personnel onboard approached the position of another craft's position 24 nautical miles southeast of Port Mokha, Yemen, during which warning shots were fired.

YEMEN/DJIBOUTI - An attempted attack was reported to have been carried out 63 nautical miles northwest of Djibouti which involved a vessel being approached by five small boats containing armed personnel. 

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US Central Command: On December 18, at approximately 9:00 (Sanaa time), there were two Houthi militant attacks against commercial shipping in the Southern Red Sea.

The chemical/oil tanker motor vessel SWAN ATLANTIC was attacked by a one-way attack drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. 

The following is a list of incidents reported today - NM = Nautical Miles:

• 63NM northwest of Djibouti: 122846N, 0433011E

• 24NM  southeast of Port Mokha, Yemen: 130906N, 0430307E

• 24NM northwest of Port Mokha, Yemen: 132003N, 0425948E

• 63NM northwest of Djibouti: 121801N, 0435509E

• 24NM southeast of Mokha Port, Yemen: 13096N, 040307E

• 30NM northwest of Mokha Port, Yemen: 131400N, 0425300E

• 30NM south of Port Mokha, Yemen: 12400N, 0431300E

In another incident that occurred 24 nautical miles southeast of Port Mokha, Yemen a vessel with several armed personnel onboard approached the position of another craft's position at 130906N, 040307E, during which "warning shots were fired by vessel AST to the craft's side". The craft then changed course away from the vessel, authorities are investigating, according to a statement by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin released a statement that said, “Today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea”.

Vessel Experiences “Explosion” On Its Port Side, Another Possible Explosion In The Water. Full Documentation On Today’s Incidents. DOD On Establishment Of Operation Prosperity Guardian Multinational Security Initiative