An explosion occurred near the ship, 35 nautical miles south of Mocha (Al Jazeera)

A British ship was attacked in the Bab al-Mandab Strait near the city of Mokha, western Yemen, on Sunday evening, according to a maritime security company, while the Ansar Allah Houthi group spoke of "developments in the theater of military operations."

The British maritime security company Ambrey said that the cargo ship, registered in the United Kingdom, flying the flag of Belize and operated by Lebanon, had reported being attacked in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The company explained that the ship was sailing north on a voyage from Khor Fakkan in the Emirates to Varna in Bulgaria.

"The partially loaded ship briefly slowed from 10 to 6 knots, deviated from its course, and contacted the Djibouti Navy, before returning to its previous course and speed," she added.

In view of the ongoing developments and developments in the theater of military operations, the expected statement of the Yemeni Armed Forces will be this Monday morning, God willing.

- Brigadier General Yahya Saree (@army21ye) February 18, 2024

The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority also said that it had received a report about an incident 35 nautical miles south of the Yemeni city of Mokha, where an explosion occurred near a ship and resulted in damage. She added that all crew members are fine.

On the other hand, the military spokesman for the Ansar Allah Houthi group, Yahya Saree, announced on the X platform late on Sunday night that an “important statement” by their forces would be published shortly.

But he wrote back and wrote, "In view of the ongoing developments and developments in the theater of military operations, the expected statement by the Yemeni armed forces will be Monday morning."

5 American strikes

The United States announced, on Sunday, that its forces in the Red Sea carried out 5 strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The US Central Command said in a statement that the strikes included thwarting "the first notable use by the Houthis of an unmanned underwater vehicle since the attacks began" last October.

It also targeted a drone boat above the surface of the sea, and the use of such boats was relatively rare.

The statement added that the other three strikes targeted anti-ship cruise missiles.

The US destroyer Carney in the Red Sea (French-Archive)

Since January 12, American forces have been launching strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, and British forces have joined them.

As a result of these strikes, the Houthis began targeting American and British ships in the region, stressing that the interests of both countries had become legitimate targets.

Since the escalation of the Israeli war on Gaza, the Houthis have been targeting ships owned or operated by Israeli companies, or transporting goods to and from Israel when they pass through the Red Sea, in support of the Palestinian resistance. This prompted many major shipping companies to avoid sailing through the Red Sea.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies