An explosion was reported near a vessel off the coast of Yemen, two maritime security agencies said Thursday, the latest in a series of incidents that have disrupted global shipping.
On Thursday, a ship reported “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel” east of Yemen’s Aden, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, adding the vessel was sailing to its next port of call. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security firm Ambrey said a “bulk carrier was targeted by an explosive projectile whilst transiting” east of Aden.
“The projectile exploded… off the vessel but did not strike the vessel,” Ambrey said, adding that the attack only caused “minor damage due to shrapnel impacting a diesel generator pipe which led to a diesel leak.”
In a speech on Thursday, the leader of the Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Huthi, accused the United States of launching around 40 strikes this week, most of them on Hodeida.
He said such retaliatory attacks would fail to deter his forces from striking vessels if a ceasefire in Gaza is not reached.
He also warned the European Union against being drawn into the confrontation after member states last month gave initial backing to a naval mission to protect ships from attacks.
“European countries should not listen to the Americans or the British, and should not involve themselves in matters that do not concern them or affect them,” the Houthi leader said.
With AFP
