Missiles hit cargo ship off Yemen

Missiles launched by Youthi militants have hit a cargo ship off Yemen. Photo: AAP
A merchant vessel reports it has been hit by a missile west of Yemen’s Hodeidah and has sustained damage, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and British security firm Ambrey say.
“The vessel has sustained some damage,” the UKMTO said in an advisory note.
“The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.”
Ambrey also reported that the ship, which it said was a tanker, was subject to a missile strike on the starboard side.
The British security firm said the vessel had been listed as Israeli-affiliated but had changed ownership in February 2024.
Yemen’s fourth-largest city, Hodeidah is also its principal port on the Red Sea.
UKMTO said another ship, 93km southwest of al Hudaydah, Yemen, reported missiles flying overhead and exploding in the distance.
“The vessel reported no damage and the crew are reported safe. The vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.”
Late on Thursday, the US military said that Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and two missiles toward the Red Sea, but there were no injuries or damage reported to US or coalition ships.
The US military’s Central Command said it destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Houthi militants have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden since mid-November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Their Red Sea attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to take longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
The US and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response.
–AAP