British Cargo Vessel Attacked in Red Sea

A British cargo vessel fell victim to an attack in the Red Sea, as confirmed by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred west of Hodeida in Yemen during the early hours of Tuesday. Although no group has claimed responsibility, there are suspicions pointing to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to reports from the Associated Press. The UKMTO reported that the ship’s master noticed a small craft on the port side before a projectile was launched at the vessel. Fortunately, none of the crew members sustained injuries in the altercation. The ship did suffer minor damages to its bridge windows, yet it was deemed safe to proceed with its journey. Addressing the recent events, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps assured that the UK would not hesitate to defend itself if necessary in response to Houthis in Yemen. This statement followed joint airstrikes by the UK and the U.S. against Houthi rebel sites on Saturday, which were deemed lawful and defensive, targeting three military facilities after thorough analysis. dpa/NAN