Ship reports nearby explosion east of Yemen’s Aden

CAIRO: A cargo ship reported a small explosion near it some 170 nautical miles east of Yemen’s port of Aden, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Read more: Saudi not involved in targeting Hodeidah in Yemen: Defense minister

“An armed security team observed a small explosion near the vessel,” UKMTO said in an advisory note, quoting the master of the container carrier MV Groton.

There was no damage and all crew members were safe, it said.

Separately, UKMTO said authorities were investigating a second incident 125 nautical miles east of Aden.

If the Houthis claim responsibility, the incidents would be their first since Israel carried out a retaliatory airstrike against the group in the port of Hodeidah.

Read more: Will Israeli bombs undo Yemen peace process?

The Houthi attacks have drawn US and British retaliatory strikes and disrupted global trade as ship owners reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal to sail the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.