Explosion reported near merchant vessel off Yemeni coast

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) — A merchant vessel reported an explosion in its vicinity while navigating waters south of Yemen’s Mokha port on Monday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The incident occurred approximately 25 nautical miles south of Mokha, the UKMTO said in a statement on social media platform X.
“The vessel and all crew are reported as safe,” the statement added.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident. The Houthi fighters, who once claimed responsibility for numerous similar attacks in the region, have not made any comment on it.
Since November 2023, Houthi forces have been targeting what they assert are “Israeli-linked” vessels in these waters, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in their conflict with Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
In response, the U.S. and British naval coalition forces stationed there have since January conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi positions to deter the group. ■