A cargo ship came under attack Sunday off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, the British military said, the latest maritime attack off the conflict-torn Arab country.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the attack off the coastal city of Hodeida, which is under the control of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The UKMTO said the ship reported being “under attack by unknown armed assailants” 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) southwest of Hodeida.
A skiff approached the bulk carrier and opened fire, forcing the ship’s security guards to return fire, before sailing back to a larger ship about two nautical miles (3.7 kilometers) away with its automatic identification system switched off, the UKMTO said.
The cargo ship and crew were reported safe, the British military agency said, adding that authorities were investigating.
No group immediately claimed the attack.