UK maritime agency says merchant vessel targeted four separate times off coast of Yemen

A series of attempted attacks using missiles and a sea drone targeted a merchant vessel as it traveled off the coast of Yemen, parts of which are held by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, a British maritime security agency says.

A rocket-propelled grenade exploded Thursday near the ship off the city of Mokha, which overlooks the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says.

A missile also exploded close to the same vessel, which later reported an attempted attack by an uncrewed surface vessel that was shot down by an armed security team on board, UKMTO adds.

The drone “exploded a distance from the vessel,” according to the agency, which is run by the British navy.

A fourth attack saw a missile splash into the sea near the ship, UKMTO says, adding that the crew and vessel are reported to be safe and continuing to the next port of call.

There is no immediate claim of responsibility, but the incident is consistent with previous attacks carried out by the Houthis, who have launched a flurry of drone and missile strikes on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November amid Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.