18 February 2024 , 22:07
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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
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.