A British ship sailing through the Red Sea was reportedly hit by rocket fire, a Britain-based maritime security group said on Sunday, while another agency reported possible drone activity in the area.
The unnamed Bahamas-flagged ship was “hit by a missile” as it headed south about 35 nautical miles off Yemen’s west coast, maritime security firm Ambrey said.
“The affected vessel issued distress calls related to piracy/missile attack,” the UK-based company added.
It noted reports that “an international naval force in the vicinity of the incident” was likely heading to the ship’s location, but did not specify which nation or group the ship would likely belong to.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, run by Britain’s Royal Navy, said it had received “a report of unmanned aerial system (UAS) activity, including a possible explosion… from the direction of Yemen.”
The unnamed, Bahamas-flagged ship was “hit by a missile” as it headed south about 35 nautical miles off Yemen’s west coast
Vessels in the area were advised to “exercise caution.”
The reported incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters after Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijacked an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, last month.
Within days, two ballistic missiles were also fired from an area controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen, landing about 10 nautical miles from a U.S. destroyer, the USS Mason, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Houthis have launched a series of drone and rocket attacks on Israel since Hamas militants poured across the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240.
The rise in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers at a meeting earlier this week to urge the rebels to stop threatening international shipping and release the Galaxy Leader.
A helicopter approached the Galaxy Leader and dropped off several Houthi fighters
The cargo ship (pictured) was traveling south past the Arabian Peninsula on its way to India. It is registered under a British company partly owned by Israeli tycoon Abraham Ungar
In the latest apparent attack, Ambrey said the target ship – en route from the United States to Singapore – transited the Suez Canal five days ago
“The bulk carrier was reportedly hit by a missile and the crew retreated to the citadel,” it said.
“Many ships passed the scene of the accident today, but no unusual maneuvers were observed.”
The Houthis have declared themselves the “axis of resistance” of Iran’s allies and proxies and have also fired a number of drones and missiles at Israel.
They have also said they may take over additional civilian or military ships that come too close.
A video posted by Houthi military media on
“Allies of the Zionist enemy who ensure passage through Bab al-Mandab are also considered a legitimate target,” he said of the chokepoint at the foot of the economically important Red Sea.
“We tell the Zionist entity that the Bab al-Mandab represents a red line… Any civilian or military (Israel-affiliated) ship is considered a legitimate target,” he added.
The vital sea route is a narrow strait between Yemen and Djibouti through which a significant portion of global maritime traffic passes.
It is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, carrying around a fifth of the world’s oil consumption.
Since the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, Britain’s Royal Navy has sent one of its most advanced warships to the Gulf to protect international ships from terrorist attacks.
HMS Diamond will attempt to thwart Iranian attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic waterways.
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Recent events have shown how important the Middle East remains to global security and stability.”
“Following the outbreak of renewed conflict in Israel and Gaza and the unlawful and brazen hijacking of the MV Galaxy Leader by Houthis in the Red Sea, it is vital for the UK to increase its presence to protect Britain and our interests from a more volatile and volatile war to protect.” embattled world.
‘[The] The deployment will help keep key trade routes open and demonstrate that our commitment to regional security not only continues but is strengthened.”
The White House said last month it was considering redesignating Yemen’s Houthi movement as a terrorist organization after it hijacked the ship in the Red Sea.
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