Suspected Houthi Missile Hits Ship in Gulf of Aden

GULF OF ADEN: A suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels set a ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday as Israel intercepted what appeared to be another Houthi attack near the port city of Eilat, authorities said.

The attacks come as the Iran-backed rebels escalate their assaults over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack Thursday in the Gulf of Aden saw two missiles fired, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.

It said the unnamed ship was ablaze, without elaborating.

Initial reports identified the vessel as a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander believed to have originated from Thailand bound for Egypt and previously sent out messages saying “SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD” to potentially avoid being targeted by the Houthis.

“The missile attack lead to a fire onboard and coalition military assets were responding to the incident,” the private security firm Ambrey said.

The ship’s Liberian-listed owners could not be immediately reached for comment.

By Agencies