Malta-flagged container ship targeted by missiles close to Yemen’s Mokha, British security firm says

British maritime security firm Ambrey on Monday stated that a Malta-flagged container ship was targeted by three missiles while it was heading from Djibouti to Jeddah.

Additionally, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that it was informed by the company security officer of an explosion that took place in close proximity to a merchant vessel.

The UKMTO also clarified that the vessel and its crew were safe, with investigations into the incident ongoing.

Iran-aligned political and military organisation Houthi group has launched a number of drones and missiles against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea region, in a bid to protest against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza to also include United States ships. Last January, there was a similar attack on another Malta-flagged vessel reported by Ambrey.

The Houthi militants state that they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

In an advisory note, Ambrey assessed that the vessel was targeted due to its listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel.

The report of the incident was received by Ambrey and UKMTO 54 nautical miles northwest of Mokha, a port city in Yemen, close to the Hanish island of Jazirat al Hanish al Kabir.

Since November, the attacks by the Houthis on ships in the area have had major impacts on companies and have also alarmed Governments. These attacks have disrupted global shipping, leading to firms having to take longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa instead.

An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian military groups has been ongoing in and around Gaza since last October, with clashes also taking place along the Israeli-occupied West Bank and on the Israel-Lebanon border.