Ship attack in the Red Sea probably by Yemeni Houthi rebels

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A ship sailing through the Red Sea on Thursday was reportedly hit in an attack believed to have been carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, a private security company said, the latest in a campaign against shipping linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.

The ship reported by radio off the coast of the rebel-controlled port city of Hodeidah that it had been hit, the private security company Ambrey said. A warship in the area is responding to the attack, Ambrey added.

It was not clear whether anyone was injured in the attack on the ship or whether the ship was damaged. Neither the British nor the US military immediately reported the attack.

The Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but it may take hours or even days for them to admit their attacks.

The rebels have attacked more than 60 ships with missiles and drones in a campaign that has left four sailors dead. Since November, they have captured one ship and sunk two. A US-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January. In a series of attacks on May 30, at least 16 people were killed and 42 others injured, according to the rebels.

The Houthis claim their attacks are directed against ships linked to Israel, the US or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the war between Israel and Hamas – including those heading to Iran.

Late Tuesday, Saree claimed responsibility for an attack on Monday on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed container ship MSC Sarah V. Late Wednesday, the Houthis claimed they used a new hypersonic missile in the attack that targeted a vessel farther away than almost all of their previous attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

The US Central Command also said it had destroyed a Houthi radar facility. Another attack on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden was probably carried out by the Houthi, but they have not yet claimed responsibility.