The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for an attack on a British ship in the Red Sea on Thursday as the group’s campaign to disrupt the Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the ship reported an explosion on board and sustained minor damage. No injuries or casualties were reported among the 23 crew members.
The UKMTO said the incident was under investigation and urged other vessels to exercise caution in the area. It also said it was working closely with its allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of shipping in the region.
The Houthi spokesperson said the attack was in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, where Israel has been conducting airstrikes on civilians. The spokesperson said: “will persist until the aggression stops and the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted,” the Houthi military spokesperson said in a statement.
The attack on the British ship is the latest in a series of incidents involving commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
