UK agency reports missile attack on vessel southwest of Yemen's Aden

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - A UK maritime agency reported that missiles were detonated in the water approximately 60 miles southwest of the Yemeni city of Aden on Friday.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated on X that "two missiles exploding in the water a distance off the port quarter".

The incident marks the 20th of its kind since tensions escalated in the Red Sea, following the Yemeni Houthis' attacks on ships suspected to have links with Israel until the cessation of the war on Gaza, according to the agency.

"Vessel and crew are safe and no damage reported," it added.

The statement noted that "Vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," explaining that "Coalition Forces responding."

It also advised that "vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO."

There has been no comment by Yemen's Houthis on the incident as yet.

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.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas which Tel Aviv says killed 1,200 people.

At least 26,083 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 64,487 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio