Smoke rising from the British oil tanker MV Merlin Luanda, attacked by Houthi forces while moving through the Gulf of Aden on January 27, 2024. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The group carried out a military operation against the British ship Lycavitos, according to a Houthi military spokesman, who said the attack hit the ship "directly and accurately,” causing damage.   

The UK Maritime Operations Authority said it received a report of an explosion approximately 85 nautical miles east of Aden. The ship's captain reported that the crew members were all safe as the ship headed toward its next port.

British maritime security company Ambrey said a cargo ship was attacked by a projectile while the vehicle was moving near Aden, but the attack did not cause any significant damage to the ship.

Since mid-November Houthi forces have disrupted world shipping by repeatedly attacking commercial ships passing through the Red Sea to express solidarity with Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A US-led coalition has launched counterattacks in an effort to stop the Houthi actions.