Yemen-based Houthi militants opened fire on a U.S.-flagged container ship traveling through the Arabian Sea Tuesday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says the captain of the Maersk Sentosa reported an explosion close to the vessel just off the coast of Nishtun, Yemen.
A spokesperson for the group issued a statement late Tuesday night taking responsibility for the attack on the Maersk Sentosa, as well as attacks on two other vessels traveling through the Gulf of Aden.
UKMTO says the Maersk Sentosa and its crew were safe.
The Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks against merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since last November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.
Their campaign has disrupted commercial shipping through the important corridor, prompting many companies to reroute ships on the longer and more expensive route around the African continent.
U.S and British forces have conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response. The Houthis said 16 people were killed and at least three dozen others were wounded in a series of airstrikes on May 30.
Meanwhile, more than two dozen international aid workers, including several United Nations employees, have been detained by Houthi rebels since mid-June, including 18 workers who were seized after a series of raids on July 4.
