Fire on vessel east of Aden, Yemen after being hit by unknown projectiles —UKMTO

DUBAI — A fire erupted onboard a merchant vessel 98 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden after being hit by two unknown projectiles, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Thursday.

Separately, British maritime security firm Ambrey has said a vessel issued a distress call reporting the impact of a missile about 129 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden while on route from Malaysia to Venice in Italy.

Ambrey said it assessed the vessel to be aligned with "the Houthi target profile."

The US Navy’s 5th fleet did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation.

Iran-allied Houthis have attacked international shipping in the Red Sea region since November in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas. They have sunk one ship, seized another vessel, and killed three seafarers in another attack.

The group controls Yemen's capital and most populous areas.

The Yemeni militants on Wednesday took responsibility for small watercraft and missile attacks that left a Greek-owned cargo ship taking on water and in need of rescue near Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah. — Reuters