Merchant Ship Faces Missile and Small Craft Attack in Red Sea

A merchant vessel in the Red Sea reported an attack by small craft and subsequent missile explosions. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and security firm Ambrey confirmed the incident. The vessel and crew are safe, and no immediate claim of responsibility has been made, although the Iran-aligned Houthi group is suspected.

(Adds new UKMTO statement in paragraphs 1,2 and 3) July 15 (Reuters) - A merchant vessel in the Red Sea reported three missiles had exploded nearby on Monday, following an earlier attack by three small craft, Britain's maritime agency and security firm Ambrey confirmed. The vessel, located approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, reported the first missile at 0800 GMT, with two subsequent missiles exploding 45 minutes later, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Earlier on Monday, an unmanned small craft collided with the vessel twice, and two manned small craft opened fire, UKMTO revealed. Both the vessel and its crew were confirmed safe and continued to the next port of call, Ambrey added.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault, but the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen has consistently launched drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, largely in solidarity with Palestinians affected by Israel's conflict in Gaza. The vessel executed "self-protection measures" which led to the attack's abandonment after 15 minutes, UKMTO stated.

The Houthis have conducted dozens of assaults since November, sinking two vessels, capturing another, and killing at least three sailors. These incidents have disrupted global trade, causing ship owners to divert away from the Suez Canal, and have provoked retaliatory strikes from the United States and the United Kingdom since February.

At least 65 countries and major energy and shipping corporations have been impacted by Houthi attacks, according to a report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.

(With inputs from agencies.)