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Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks that damaged a ship heading to the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen, on the night of Friday to Saturday.

According to the US Middle East Command (Centcom), the Houthis launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles at 17:49 local time (14:49 UT) from an area they control in Yemen towards the Red Sea area. two merchant ships were located.

L“Andromeda Star reported minor damage but continues on her way”Centcom said at X, without mentioning any injuries or other damage.

The ship is British-owned, flies the Panamanian flag and is managed by the Seychelles, Centcom details in a press release.

Houthi rebels, who threaten maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden “solidarity” with the Palestinians in Gaza, claimed responsibility for these overnight attacks.

“British tanker, Andromeda Star, hit by naval missiles, boat directly hit”the Houthis said in a statement.

Another ship damaged

The UK Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO) earlier reported that the ship was damaged in two attacks on Friday 14 nautical miles south-west of the Yemeni city of Mokha.

The crew felt the first explosion nearby, before the ship “hit by what are believed to be two missiles, which damaged the ship”they stated from UKMTO, who also did not report any victims.

British security company Ambrey reported the incident in the same area where “Three rockets were seen. A Panamanian-flagged tanker was the closest ship to these missiles..

“The tanker was linked to the United Kingdom, before changing ownership in November 2023.according to the company.

currently, “the owner of the vessel is registered in Seychelles and carries out commercial activities related to Russia. The tanker was en route from Primorsk, Russia to Vadinar, India”Ambrey added.

Houthis, support of Hamas

The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen and support Hamas in its war against Israel’s military, have been carrying out attacks since November on ships they believe are linked to Israel, claiming they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

In the face of Houthi attacks, the United States, which backs Israel, established a multinational maritime protection force in the Red Sea in December.

After a lull in recent weeks, the Houthis stepped up attacks since Wednesday, saying they were continuing “their military actions against all enemy targets in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean”.

THE UNITED STATES announced on Friday that they shot down two Houthi drones after launching a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden.

And the Houthis claimed to have shot down an American MQ-9 drone that was carrying out an attack “enemy missions” over the Saada region, the stronghold of these rebels in northern Yemen.