DUBAI: A missile fired at a ship in the Red Sea caused no damage, marine security monitors said on Friday (Mar 15), as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threatened to expand their harassment campaign which has disrupted global trade.
The Royal Navy’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey had reported that the ship was damaged after being hit west of the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida in the early hours of Friday.
But a daylight inspection showed that the vessel had not been impacted by the missile and had not sustained damage, UKMTO and Ambrey said in a later update.
Ambrey said the “vessel was listed as Israel-affiliated but had changed ownership in February 2024”, adding that it was headed from Singapore to the Suez Canal with armed guards onboard.
The same tanker was nearly hit by a missile southeast of Yemen’s port of Aden the previous day, Ambrey said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched dozens of missile and drone strikes on shipping in the commercially vital seaway over the past four months.
The rebels say they are targeting Israel-linked shipping as part of an “axis of resistance” of Iran allies and proxies, in protest at Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthi attacks, including a deadly assault on a bulk carrier last week and the sinking of a ship carrying thousands of tonnes of fertiliser, have triggered reprisal strikes by US and British forces.
