A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker “reported seeing two explosions” in the Gulf of Aden, observer Ambrey said.
Two missiles exploded in waters south of Yemen on Friday, maritime monitoring agencies said, following months of attacks on shipping by the country’s Huthi rebels.
A Panama-flagged oil tanker “reported seeing two explosions” in the Gulf of Aden, threat watchdog Ambrey said, a report corroborated through the British Navy’s maritime advertising operations in the United Kingdom. No injuries were reported.
Ambrey, the missiles exploded about a mile from the India-affiliated tanker and 200-300 meters (650-1,000 feet) above the waterline. The UKMTO exploded in the water.
“The goal is not transparent at the time of writing. No injuries were reported,” Ambrey said, adding that the ships were calling for help from the military at the time.
Houthi attacks since mid-November have disrupted industry in the Red Sea, which carries about 12% of foreign maritime traffic, and triggered retaliatory measures in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Iran-backed rebels say they are targeting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Hamas-Israel war that has inflamed tensions across the Middle East.
There is no immediate comment on the latest incident by the Houthis, who are part of the anti-Israeli, anti-Western “axis of resistance” of Iran’s proxies and allies.
A number of shipping corporations have moved away from the Red Sea and taken the longest and most expensive direction around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
This follows difficult years for the industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when freight rates reached unprecedented levels due to origin chain blockages.
The U. S. and Britain carried out two rounds of joint measures this month aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to attack shipping.
The U. S. military introduced a series of unilateral airstrikes against rebel missiles.
Washington is also seeking to put diplomatic and financial pressure on the Huthis, redesignating them as a terrorist organisation last week after dropping that label soon after President Joe Biden took office.
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