DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, (Hornpost) — Two Djiboutian soldiers were wounded during an exchange of gunfire with a suspected Yemeni smuggling boat intercepted in Djibouti’s territorial waters, the country’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred during a routine patrol by the Djiboutian Navy, which detected an armed speedboat carrying several people and heading toward Djibouti’s coastline.
When naval forces approached the vessel, it reportedly fled toward Yemen, prompting a pursuit by a Djiboutian naval patrol boat.
The Defense Ministry said the suspected vessel later turned around and opened fire on the pursuing forces, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
Two Djiboutian service members were injured during the confrontation and were evacuated to a hospital, where they were receiving medical treatment on Saturday.
The ministry did not disclose the condition of the wounded soldiers or provide details on casualties or arrests involving those aboard the suspected smuggling vessel.
The incident comes as Djibouti continues regular maritime surveillance and security operations to safeguard its territorial waters and combat cross-border smuggling and other illegal activities.
Located along the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Djibouti plays a critical role in securing one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. Authorities said naval patrols and maritime security missions will continue to protect the country’s coastline and territorial waters.
Source: Djibouti Ministry of Defense, as reported by the Djibouti News Agency (ADI).
Prepared by:
Horn Post Staff
