Barran Press
A blast was reported in the Red Sea, 40 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Mokha, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
The UKMTO, in a brief statement on its X account, seen by Barran Press, said that the captain of a ship 40 nautical miles south of Mokha reported an explosion near their vessel.
The US Maritime Trade Operations, however, stated that the ship and crew were safe and continuing their journey to the next port.
On Tuesday, July 9, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, claimed responsibility for attacking three ships in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones.
The group alleged that the targeted ships, including an American vessel, an Israeli vessel, and a third unidentified ship, were "violating the ban on access to Israeli ports."
Since November 2023, the Houthis have been carrying out attacks using missiles and drones against commercial ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted numerous international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. US forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi military targets intermittently.
Since January 12, US and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground have totaled around 560, resulting in the deaths of 58 and injuries to 86 Houthi fighters, according to the group's admission.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western strikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces in retaking Hodeidah, its ports, and other areas controlled by the group.
Despite the Houthis' continued maritime attacks, only three out of 162 ships they claim to have targeted since November have reported serious incidents or injuries.