UKMTO says explosion reported near vessel west of Yemen's Hodeidah

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization said that an explosion was reported at a distance off a vessel's starboard side west of Yemen's Hodeidah. UKMTO said that the vessel and crew are safe. The Houthi campaign has disrupted international shipping. The United States and Britain have launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and returned the militia to a list of "terrorist groups."

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization said that an explosion was reported at a distance off a vessel's starboard side west of Yemen's Hodeidah.

UKMTO said that the vessel and crew are safe. Residents said the Houthis fired a missile from a camp in the Houthi-controlled Ibb city in central Yemen towards the sea.

The Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have launched a wave of exploding drones and missiles at commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent weeks, calling it a response to Israel's military operations in Gaza and a show of solidarity with Palestinians. The Houthi campaign has disrupted international shipping.

The United States and Britain have launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and returned the militia to a list of "terrorist groups."