12 January 2024 , 17:11
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A missile has reportedly been fired at a vessel off the coast of Yemen hours after the US and UK launched airstrikes on Houthi rebel military bases.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has received a report of a missile attack 90 miles off the coast of Aden, Yemen on Friday afternoon. The Royal Navy initiative, that provides information on security incidents to shipping operators, said the missile landed between 400-500 metres away from the Master ship being followed by three craft.
The ship reported no injuries or damage and was proceeding to the next port of call, as vessels were advised to “transit with caution”. The British Ministry of Defence was unable to say what nationality the vessel was flagged with, and did not wish to comment further when contacted by the Mirror.
However, British maritime security firm Ambrey told Sky News a Panama-flagged tanker was fired at. The tanker, which was carrying Russian oil, was "mistakenly targeted" based on "outdated" information linking it to the UK, it said.
It comes after Houthi rebels vowed fierce retaliation after the UK and US bombed 16 military sites used by the Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen in response to attacks in the Red Sea. The militant group has carried out dozens of attacks against commercial shipping since late November, and say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Most of the ships targeted, however, have no connection to Israel.
Israel cargo ship ‘hijacked by Iran-backed militia’ in Red Sea with 52 on board
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The retaliatory airstrikes have sparked concerns over a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East. In a chilling warning, Houthis have said the US-led airstrikes would not go without "punishment or retaliation" after five of their fighters were killed in the overnight attacks.
Rishi Sunak says Britain has sent a "strong signal" that such attacks cannot be carried out with "impunity". Humza Yousaf has, however, insisted the UK Parliament should have been recalled before military strikes were launched. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said earlier today there are no more strikes or military actions planned and that the government was aware of the need to avoid escalation in the region. The Scottish First Minister said MPs "should have had their say" before "action as serious as military intervention took place".
Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said: "America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression." The group's military spokesman also said that the Houthis would continue to block the passage of ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.