(Dubai) An explosion occurred near a ship off Yemen on Wednesday, the British Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO) said, amid increasing attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on merchant ships at sea Red.
UKMTO said it had received reports of an “explosion approximately 100 meters” from a ship, 50 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Mokha on the Red Sea.
No injuries or damage were reported, added the same source without specifying the cause of the explosion.
Since November, Yemeni rebels have said they are targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that they believe are linked to Israel in “solidarity” with Palestinians in Gaza, gripped by the war between the Israeli army and the movement. Islamist Hamas.
Their attacks have forced many shipowners to suspend passage on this crucial transit route representing up to 12% of world trade.
The American and British armies have in recent weeks carried out strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen, raising fears of an escalation.
The United States said it carried out a new strike targeting the Houthis in Yemen overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
The rebels had said they would retaliate against US-British attacks.
The Houthis are part of what Iran presents as the “axis of resistance” against Israel which brings together groups in the region such as Hezbollah, Hamas and other factions in Iraq and Syria.