Explosion reported near vessel off Yemen: UK agency

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An explosion was heard near a vessel off the Red Sea coast of Yemen on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, adding that both the vessel and crew were safe.

The ship "reported a sound of an explosion in the vicinity of the vessel" southwest of the Yemeni port of Saleef, the security organization said, noting that U.S.-led coalition forces were investigating.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet. But the Houthi media later reported that the U.S.-UK alliance targeted the Ras Issa area in the Al-Saleef District with three raids.

Since November, the Houthis have increasingly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which they claim is in retaliation for Israeli strikes in Gaza.

In response, the U.S. and UK launched air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, starting in mid-January. However, rather than deterring or decreasing the militants' capabilities, the strikes appear to have prompted further escalation from the Houthi forces.

(With input from agencies)

Source(s): AFP