LONDON: Projectiles struck two cargo ships off the coast of Yemen on Saturday night without causing any casualties, maritime security agencies said.
An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship caught fire after it was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen on Saturday night, maritime security firm Ambrey said.
“The ship was heading southwest along the Gulf of Aden at a speed of 8.2kts when the forward station was struck by a missile. A fire started but was neutralized,” Ambrey said in a statement.
A second missile missed and “small boats in the vicinity opened fire on the ship” causing it to change direction to port.
“No injuries were reported,” the security firm added.
This illustration posted by the UKMTO on social media on Saturday shows the general location of the ship that was hit by Houthi missiles Saturday night. (X: @UKMTO)
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), run by Britain’s Royal Navy, said in a separate statement that it was informed of an incident southeast of Aden on Saturday night, and that authorities were investigating.
“All crew are reported safe and the vessel is now proceeding to its next port of call,” it said.
In a separate incident on Saturday night, the UKMTO reported another projectile struck a ship "on the aft section", resulting in a fire. No casualties were reported.
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution,” it said.
The attacks come amid a campaign of drone and missile strikes against Israeli-linked shipping by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The rebels' attacks, which they say are in support of Palestinians, have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a route that normally carries about 12 percent of global trade.
Since January, the United States and Britain have launched retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the attacks.
The strikes have done little to deter the Huthis, who have vowed to target US and British vessels as well as all ships heading to Israeli ports.
