Suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targets ship in Red Sea

Dubai: A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship late on Sunday night travelling through sourn reaches of Red Sea, though it caused no damage nor injuries, authorities said.

attack comes as rebels continue ir monthslong assault targeting shipping through a waterway that typically sees USD 1 trillion in goods pass through it a year over Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon.

A ship's captain saw that "a missile splashed in close proximity to vessel" as it travelled near Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting Red Sea to Gulf of en, British military's United Kingdom Maritime Tre Operations centre said in an alert. attack happened some 48 kilometres west of Yemen port city of Mocha.

" vessel and crew are safe and proceeding to its next port of call," UKMTO ded.

Houthis did not immediately claim attack. However, it can take rebels hours or even days to acknowledge ir assaults.

Houthis have targeted more than 90 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since war in Gaza started in October 2023. y seized one vessel and sank two in campaign, which also killed four sailors. Or missiles and drones have eir been intercepted by a US-led coalition in Red Sea or failed to reach ir targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.

rebels maintain that y target ships linked to Israel, US or UK to force an end to Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of ships attacked have little or no connection to conflict, including some bound for Iran.

Houthis have shot down multiple American MQ-9 Reaper drones as well.

In rebels' last attack on November 11, two US Navy warships targeted with multiple drones and missiles as y were travelling through Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but attacks were not successful. (AP) SZM