The British Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO) announced that a commercial ship was damaged, on Thursday, by a “projectile” off the coast of the port of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the Houthis in western Yemen, explaining that there were no casualties.
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• Read also: Two commercial ships were attacked off Yemen
The agency did not say who was behind the attack, but the Houthis regularly announce firing on ships they say are linked to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The ship's captain reported that she had been “hit by an unknown projectile” and “suffered damage,” according to a UKMTO statement.
She added: “No fires or injuries were reported,” and “the ship is heading to the next port of call.”
Shortly after, the agency reported that “two more shells” had exploded near the ship. She added: “The crew is safe and sound.”
Ambre Maritime Security said the tanker was carrying a Liberian flag.
It was hit on its surface, “causing minor damage,” 73 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah.
The ship was heading from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Muscat, Oman, according to UKMTO and Ambrey.
The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, have been carrying out attacks against Israel and ships allegedly linked to them for months, claiming that they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which has been waging a year-long war against Israel in the Gaza Strip.
These missile and drone attacks have disrupted traffic in this maritime region vital to global trade, prompting the United States to establish an international maritime coalition and strike rebel targets in Yemen, sometimes with assistance from the United Kingdom.
Yemeni rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility on Monday for attacks against Israel, with the army earlier announcing the interception of a missile fired from Yemen.
