Missile Strike on Merchant Vessel Near Yemen: Houthi Aggression Intensifies

A merchant vessel issued a distress call after a missile strike 129 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen. British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the Houthi militia as the likely perpetrators. The Houthis have escalated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians, causing significant maritime disruptions.

A merchant vessel issued a distress call reporting a missile impacting the vessel approximately 129 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden while on route from Malaysia to Italy's Venice, British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Thursday.

Ambrey said it assessed the vessel to be aligned with "the Houthi target profile." Iran-allied Houthis have attacked international shipping in the Red Sea region since November in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas. They have sunk one ship, seized another vessel, and killed three seafarers in another attack.

The group controls Yemen's capital and most populous areas. The Yemeni militants on Wednesday

took responsibility for small watercraft and missile attacks that left a Greek-owned cargo ship taking on water and in need of rescue near Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it has received a report of an incident 98 NM east of Aden as well.