Two ships reported nearby explosions on Tuesday off the coast of Yemen, maritime security agencies said, though neither event resulted in damage or injuries.
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden off Yemen have become perilous for shipping with the Huthi rebels, who control areas including the capital Sanaa, launching attacks they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.
One ship positioned 63 nautical miles southwest of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida reported two nearby explosions early on Tuesday.
“A small craft was observed in the vicinity acting suspiciously and flashing lights towards the vessel,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The ship was then “attacked by an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), which was successfully disabled”, according to the agency, which is run by the British navy.
“The vessel and crew are reported safe, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.”
Maritime security firm Ambrey said the ship fit the profile of Huthi targets.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), run by a 45-member international naval coalition, identified the vessel as the Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker Delta Atlantica.
A second ship, positioned 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeida, also reported “an explosion in the vicinity of the vessel”, UKMTO said.
The JMIC identified the ship as the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker On Phoenix.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the strikes were consistent with previous ones by the Iran-backed Huthis that began in November, roughly one month after Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attacks on southern Israel triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.
Late on Tuesday, US Central Command said it had “successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels in the Red Sea,” offering no specific details about the targets.
“These vessels presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” read a US statement.
The Huthis’ anti-shipping campaign against scores of ships has disrupted maritime traffic in the Red Sea, which usually carries up to 12 percent of global trade.
On June 12, 2023, the Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor became yet another victim of Houthi aggression when it was struck by missiles and attacked with an explosive-laden drone. Despite efforts from salvage teams dispatched to rescue the vessel, it was confirmed sunk days later
The attacks have triggered reprisal strikes by the United States and Britain on Huthi targets inside Yemen.