UPDATES WITH NEW DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE
By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - A vessel was reportedly hit by an “unknown object” northwest of Saleef, Yemen, a UK maritime agency said on Tuesday.
"Company Security Officer reports vessel has been hit by an unknown object in the cargo hold," the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement.
Earlier, UKMTO said that it had received a report of an “incident” 100 nautical miles northwest of Saleef, Yemen.
"Authorities are investigating," the agency added, advising vessels "to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity."
This came a day after Houthis in Yemen targeted a US-owned ship with naval rockets off the Yemeni coast.
Similar incidents have occurred recently in the region, particularly since Israel launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Yemeni Houthis have targeted vessels in the Red Sea, in particular ones that are bound for Israel.