DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: A ship was hit and damaged by at least two missiles while sailing off the coast of Yemen on Friday, the UKMTO reported.
No one yet claimed responsibility for the attack which the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations said took place southwest of the Yemeni port of Mokha.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, which the UK Maritime Trade Operations said took place southwest of the Yemeni port of Mokha.
In the first attack “the vessel experienced an explosion in close proximity to the vessel which was felt by the crew on board”, British maritime security agency UKMTO said on X.
“The second attack on the vessel consisted of what is believed to be two missiles, which resulted in damage,” the agency added.
Hours earlier, the British maritime security firm Ambrey also reported an attack off the port of Mokha.
“Three missiles were sighted,” in that incident, said Ambrey.
“A Panama-flagged tanker was the closest vessel to these. The tanker was formerly UK-owned (but)… the ownership changed in November 2023,” according to Ambrey.
Currently, it said, the vessel is registered in the Seychelles and “engaged in Russia-linked trade”.
“The tanker was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India,” it added.
This incident occurs after a break in the attacks of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks targeting ships since November.
The Houthis claim that they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Despite a reduction in attacks in recent weeks, the Houthis said late Wednesday that they continue to conduct further military operations against all hostile targets in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Early Friday morning, US Central Command announced that coalition forces destroyed two drones in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled territory after firing a ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden.
Thursday’s missile attack targeted the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC DARWIN VI but was not hit, the Joint Maritime Intelligence Center said.
The Houthis claimed that the ship belonged to Israel and claimed responsibility for the attack.
