Fresh attack off Yemen coast: Cargo ship catches fire after missile strike

A cargo ship flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda caught fire after a missile struck off the coast of Yemen, maritime security firm Ambre said on Saturday.

“The vessel was proceeding south-west in the Gulf of Aden at a speed of 8.2 knots per hour (14.8 km/h). The bow station was hit by a missile. “Fire moderated.”Ambre said in a statement.

A second missile missed and “nearby small boats opened fire on the ship”.This causes the port to change direction.

“There were no injuries,” the defense agency added.

In a separate statement, the United Kingdom Maritime Operations (UKMTO), which is run by the British Royal Navy, said the incident occurred on Saturday night southeast of Aden, and officials are investigating. “Vessels are advised to proceed with caution”He pointed out.

The incident comes amid a campaign of drone and missile strikes against ships linked to Israel Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran.

Attacks by rebels who claim to be pro-Palestinian have led some shipping companies to avoid sailing around South Africa. Red SeaA major route that typically carries 12% of global trade.

Since January, the United States and the United Kingdom have launched retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks on shipping. These maneuvers have not helped deter the Houthis, who have vowed to attack American and British ships and all ships bound for Israeli ports.

On the other hand, on Friday the UN 11 of its employees were arrested by Yemeni Houthi rebels And he is investigating his situation using all means to achieve his “secure and unconditional release”.

“In recent days, I can confirm that Practically Houthi officials “They have detained 11 United Nations staff working in Yemen,” the Secretariat's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told a press conference.

The workers, nine men and two women of Yemeni origin who worked for different United Nations agencies and organizations, were detained in the cities of Sana'a, Al Hodeidah, Hajjah and Saada.

(With information from AFP and EFE)