British Authority: Hearing Two Explosions and Seeing Missiles off Yemen

The British Maritime Trade Operations agency reported today, Friday, that "a vessel approximately 60 nautical miles from the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah reported hearing the sound of an explosion and seeing missiles a few miles from its location." The agency stated: "Today, it received a report of a separate incident approximately 60 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Aden, where the Houthis are attacking vessels." The agency indicated that "the crew and the vessel are fine." The British maritime security company "Ambrey" noted that "an explosion was seen about one nautical mile from an oil tanker and petroleum products registered in India and flying the Panama flag southeast of the Bab al-Mandab Strait." Ambrey added that the vessel reported seeing two explosions toward its stern, with no damages reported. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, have been launching drones and missiles at ships since November 19, in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis claim they are targeting vessels connected to Israel or heading there. Last month, the United States and other countries formed a naval task force named "Operation Prosperity Shield" to protect civilian vessels. The United States and Britain have launched airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen in response to attacks on ships in the Red Sea.