British-owned ship ‘struck by rocket near Yemen’ – after Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Israeli cargo vessel amid spiralling tensions over Gaza
A British-owned ship sailing through the Red Sea has reportedly been hit by missile fire, a British maritime security group said on Sunday, while another agency reported possible drone activity in the area.
The unnamed Bahamas-flagged ship was “struck by a missile” as it headed south, about 35 nautical miles off Yemen's west coast, maritime security firm Ambrey said.
“The affected ship issued distress calls in relation to piracy/missile attacks,” the British company added.
It noted reports that “an international naval unit in the vicinity of the incident” was likely to move to the ship's location, although it did not specify which country or group the ship was likely to belong to.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), run by Britain's Royal Navy, said it had “received a report of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) activity, including a possible explosion… originating in the direction of Yemen.”
The unnamed Bahamas-flagged ship was 'struck by a missile' while sailing south, about 35 nautical miles off the west coast of Yemen
It advised ships in the area to 'exercise caution'.
The reported incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters after Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, last month.
Within days, two ballistic missiles were also launched from an area controlled by Huthi rebels in Yemen, landing about 10 nautical miles from a U.S. destroyer, the USS Mason, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Huthis have fired a series of drone and missile attacks into Israel since Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping around 240.
The spike in maritime incidents prompted G7 foreign ministers earlier this week to urge the rebels to cease threats to international shipping and release the Galaxy Leader.
A helicopter approached the Galaxy Leader and dropped off several Houthi fighters
The cargo ship (photo) sailed south along the Arabian Peninsula on its way to India. It is registered under a British company partly owned by Israeli tycoon Abraham Ungar
In the latest apparent attack, Ambrey said the targeted ship – en route from the United States to Singapore – had passed through the Suez Canal five days ago.
“The bulker was reportedly hit by a missile and the crew retreated to the citadel,” it added.
“Numerous ships passed the incident location today, but no unusual maneuvers were observed.”
Ambrey said the ownership and management of the attacked ship was linked to Dan David Ungar, a British citizen listed as an Israeli resident in Britain's main business directory.
The Houthis have declared themselves part of the “axis of resistance” of Iran's allies and allies, and have also launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel.
They have also said they may capture more ships, civilian or military, that come too close to them.
A video posted by Houthi military media on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed the commander of the rebels' naval forces, General Mohammad Fadl Abdelnabi, on board the captured ship.
“Allies of the Zionist enemy who ensure passage through Bab al-Mandab are also considered a legitimate target,” he said of the chokepoint at the foot of the commercially vital Red Sea.
“We say to the Zionist entity that Bab al-Mandab is a red line… Any civilian or military (Israel-affiliated) ship is considered a legitimate target,” he added.
The crucial sea route is a narrow strait between Yemen and Djibouti, through which a significant portion of the world's maritime traffic passes.
It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption.
Since the capture of the Galaxy Leader, the British Royal Navy has deployed one of its most advanced warships to the Gulf to protect international ships from terrorist attacks.
HMS Diamond will attempt to thwart Iranian attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's strategically most important water passages.
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'Recent events have proven how crucial the Middle East remains to global security and stability.
'Following the outbreak of renewed conflict in Israel and Gaza and the unlawful and brutal seizure of MV Galaxy Leader by Houthis in the Red Sea, it is vital that Britain strengthens its presence, to protect Britain and our interests protect against a more volatile and contentious world.
'[The] the deployment will help keep critical trade routes open and prove that our commitment to regional security is not only sustained, but strengthened.”
The White House said last month it was considering re-designating Yemen's Houthi movement as a terrorist organization after it hijacked the ship in the Red Sea.
More to follow.