UK maritime agency reports missile firing towards vessel near Aden

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Britain's maritime agency on Friday reported a missile firing incident towards a vessel near the Yemeni coastal city of Aden.

In a statement, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident took place 90 miles southeast of Aden.

No injuries or damage were reported from the incident, UKMTO said, adding that "further investigation is ongoing."

"Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO," the British maritime agency also said.

The incident is the first reported since the US and UK initiated a series of aerial raids on Houthi-held areas in Yemen late on Thursday.

According to the White House, the action was "in response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea.

"The armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen."

The Houthi group, however, reiterated on Friday it will continue "to target Israeli or Israel-linked ships or those heading to occupied Palestine," despite the US and UK airstrikes on Yemen.