UK-registered ship comes 'under attack' off coast of Yemen

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Armed tribesmen loyal to Houthis in Sana
Armed tribesmen loyal to Houthis in Sana'a, Yemen

A UK-registered cargo ship has come under attack off the coast of Yemen, according to reports.

The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha in Yemen. It said: “Authorities are investigating.”

The report gave no further details but Sky News, citing private security firm Ambrey, said that the ship was a UK-registered vessel and had come “under attack” in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The ship is believed to Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated and UK-registered.

The UK and the US have carried out joint airstrikes against Houthi rebels in recent weeks to stop attacks on commercial shipping.

Since November, the Iran-backed rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel's offensive in Gaza.

Israel cargo ship ‘hijacked by Iran-backed militia’ in Red Sea with 52 on board eiqreidrqiudinvIsrael cargo ship ‘hijacked by Iran-backed militia’ in Red Sea with 52 on board

They have often targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperilling shipping in a key route for trade among Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Rachel Hagan

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