Electronic Interference and Projectile Incident Raise Alarms Off Yemen

A vessel operating in the Red Sea has experienced a rare combination of severe electronic interference and an unknown projectile striking the sea surface nearby, according to a UKMTO alert reported by Seatrade Maritime. The incident occurred at approximately 0310 hrs on 4 September, roughly 178 nautical miles northwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen—a region already marked by heightened Houthi insurgent activity.

This dual threat (both navigational disruption and physical attack) unfolded in an area regarded as one of the most sensitive shipping corridors globally. Notably, electronic interference of this nature, while regularly encountered near the Strait of Hormuz, remains highly uncommon in the Red Sea.

Regional Hostilities and Escalating Maritime Risks

Since early July 2025, the Red Sea has seen a worrying uptick in Houthi-led aggression. Seatrade Maritime notes that this includes the recent sinking of two vessels over two days and claims of additional attacks in the past week, although in those cases the targeted ships continued their voyages. A similar report by the Associated Press highlights a suspected Houthi projectile strike and interference in proximity to Hodeidah, reinforcing the maritime threat trend.

Adding to navigational hazard, Houthi-aligned activity has frequently targeted GPS and AIS systems, particularly during peak tensions earlier in the year. A report from S&P Global found June’s naval pulses and wars in Hormuz triggered multiday GNSS jamming, elevating risks for vessels reliant on satellite navigation.

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