Yemen’s Houthis say targeted ship in Gulf of Aden

In a statement, the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, says the Belize-flagged ship is now at risk of sinking.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations earlier said a missile hit the ship travelling through Bab al-Mandeb, the strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, forcing the crew to abandon it.

Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com, analysed by the AP, identified the vessel as the Rubymar.

Houthi fighters have been carrying out attacks on vessels linked to the US, the UK and Israel in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. London and Washington have responded by hitting Houthi targets.