- Two cargo ships sailing near Yemen caught fire after being hit by projectiles.
- The missiles are suspected to have been fired by Houthi rebels.
- Houthis have been targeting ships to pressure Israel and the West over the war in Gaza.
Two cargo ships traveling off Yemen’s southern port city of Aden caught fire after being hit by projectiles suspected to have been fired by Houthi rebels, reports Reuters.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday it had been informed of an incident 80 nautical miles southeast of Aden. UKMTO is linked to the UK’s Royal Navy.
Suspicion for the attack fell on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have not claimed responsibility for the latest attack but have been targeting shipping in the area for several months with missiles and drones.
Two vessels catch fire after missile strikes
The British security firm Ambrey later said a cargo vessel from Antigua and Barbuda had been hit by a missile 83 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The ship caught fire but it was contained.
“The ship was heading southwest along the Gulf of Aden at a speed of 8.2 knots when a missile struck the forward station. A fire started but was neutralized,” Ambrey said in an advisory note seen by Reuters.
“A second missile was sighted but did not hit the ship. Persons on board small boats in the vicinity opened fire on the ship during the incident,” Ambrey said.
No injuries were reported after the ship diverted and sped up.
The UKMTO said they had received a second report about another incident 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden.
“The master reports that the vessel was hit by an unknown projectile on the aft section, which resulted in a fire. Damage control is underway,” UKMTO said.
No casualties were reported and the UKMTO said the vessel was “proceeding to its next port of call. Authorities continue to monitor the situation.”
Reuters reported on Friday that the Houthi rebels had claimed responsibility for attacks on two merchant ships in the Red Sea with “a number of drones and ballistic and naval missiles,” but there was no independent confirmation of the incidents.
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Source: Reuters
