Ship off Yemen coast reports explosion nearby, says rocket hit the water
Houthis yet to comment on apparent attack as Liberian-flagged container makes it way to next port of call undamaged
A merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea reported an explosion in close proximity to it on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
UKMTO said the crew was reported safe and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call.
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) later identified the vessel as Liberian-flagged container MSC SARAH V, saying it was attacked by a missile while navigating the Arabian Sea, but was not hit. The ship was sailing 246 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s Nishtun.
The ship reported a missile landing in the water approximately 50 meters off the starboard side of the ship, JMIC said.
“The vessel was likely attacked due to perceived Israeli association,” JMIC’s note added.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has been launching drone and missile strikes in shipping lanes since November, saying that it acts in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza.
In dozens of attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.
The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the Israel-Hamas war.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.
A US-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes on May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.
The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas led a devastating attack on the South in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed. Terrorists also abducted 251 people as hostages to the Gaza Strip.
