Houthi missile attack sets ship ablaze in Gulf of Aden as assaults escalate

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Houthi militants in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a missile attack that set a ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Monday.

The private security firm Ambrey described the vessel targeted as a Liberia-flagged, Israel-affiliated container ship that sustained damage and issued a distress call.

"The container ship reportedly encountered two explosions of which the first occurred at a 'distance' off its port quarter, while the second damaged the vessel's accommodation block and a container leading," Ambrey said. "The explosion further led to a fire onboard and the crew's firefighting efforts were underway."

No crew member on the ship was injured, Ambrey said.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack in a prerecorded statement. He identified the ship as the MSC Sky II, sailing for the Switzerland-based firm Mediterranean Shipping Co, but sought to link the vessel to Israel. The ship's details and last-known location corresponded to details about the attack.

The Houthis "will continue to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted," Saree said.

The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since November.