A missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militants struck a United States-owned cargo ship named MV Gibraltar Eagle off the coast of Yemen on Monday, officials have said.
The incident happened a day after Houthi rebels fired cruise missile at an American destroyer.
According to Ambrey, a British maritime risk company, fire broke out on board the Marshall Islands-flagged US-owned bulk carrier after it was struck by the missile but it remained seaworthy and there were no injuries.
The incident will further heighten shipping and security fears for the volatile region where the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have for weeks fired drones and missiles towards vessels they deem Israeli-linked in the adjacent Red Sea.
United States and United Kingdom forces responded on Friday with strikes against scores of rebel targets in Yemen, which the Houthis said would not deter them. Three missiles were launched by the Houthis, Ambrey said, with two of them not reaching the sea.
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