An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targets a ship in the Gulf of Aden
abcnews.go.comAn attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, the latest assault claimed by the group on the crucial maritime trade route.
The captain of the ship reported an explosion in close proximity to the vessel off the coast of Nishtun, Yemen, close to the country's border with Oman, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. The ship, whose name and flag were not released, and all crew are safe, the UKMTO said in a warning to mariners.
The explosion took place in the farthest reaches of the waterway earlier targeted by the rebels, the center said.
It did not elaborate on what caused the explosion, though the Houthis have been known to use drones and missiles as well as bomb-carrying drone boats.
Late Tuesday night, the Houthis issued a broad claim of responsibility for three attacks, although it remains unclear which of these attacks was reported by authorities. Since the latest assault, shipping or military authorities have not acknowledged any additional attacks in the region.
The last reported Houthi attack in the region took place June 28.
The rebels have targeted more than 70 vessels by firing missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They seized one vessel and sank two since November.
In June, the number of Houthi attacks on merchant vessels increased to levels not seen since December, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, which is overseen by the United States Navy. U.S.-led airstrikes have targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes on May 30 killing at least 16 people and
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