Commercial vessels transiting the waters between Somalia and Yemen have reported a series of increasingly brazen approaches by pirates over the past several days, including multiple reports of shots fired.
In one case, a cargo ship's security guards returned fire for approximately 30 minutes against two small boats.
The Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO), established by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta, reported two new incidents on Monday, June 15, and another on Sunday, June 14. MSCIO repeated its caution that vessels operating in the region are "strongly advised to maintain heightened vigilance."
A container vessel sailing approximately 14 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen, between Aden and Ahar, reported on June 15 that it had been approached by a small skiff. The skiff allegedly opened fire and attempted to board the vessel.
Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech identified the vessel as the Greta Star (IMO: 9230787), a 22,968 dwt container ship with a capacity of 1,730 TEU, registered in Panama. AIS data showed the vessel sailing between Oman and Djibouti at the time.
Vanguard Tech reported the attackers were armed with "heavy firearms," but said the vessel was able to increase speed and prevent the boarding.
Several hours later, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report from the master of a tanker that it, too, had been approached on June 15. The vessel was located 111 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen (LOCODE: YEADE), when a small skiff carrying four people approached and reportedly opened fire with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
On Sunday, June 14, an unidentified cargo ship reported being approached by two small boats, each carrying six people, while sailing along the northern coast of Yemen, south of the Horn of Africa, near Xaafuun. The small boats reportedly hailed the cargo ship and ordered it to stop, then opened fire. The ship's security team returned fire for approximately 30 minutes before the boats withdrew.
These incidents follow another reported on Wednesday, June 10, when a small boat carrying six armed individuals approached a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden, 88 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf, Yemen (LOCODE: YEBLH). Another exchange of gunfire took place, and the small boat withdrew after the ship's security team returned fire.
Atalanta has reported an increase in incidents in the region since April 2026. Three vessels, including two small laden tankers, have been reported boarded and taken to positions off the coast of Yemen. The EU naval initiative says it is working with local authorities to investigate the recent rise in incidents.
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