A projectile fired from rebel-controlled Yemen hit a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Friday, a US official and an intelligence firm said, the latest in a series of attacks.

“We are aware that something launched from a Huthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” the US defence official told AFP.

Private intelligence firm Ambrey said the container ship, owned by German transport company Hapag-Lloyd, “sustained physical damage from an aerial attack” north of the Yemeni coastal city of Mocha.
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“The projectile reportedly hit the port side of the vessel and one container fell overboard due to the impact. The projectile caused a fire on deck” that was reported over radio, Ambrey said.

The Iran-backed rebels have said they will target any ships travelling to Israel irrespective of their nationality, and are now launching near-daily attacks, although they are mostly unsuccessful.

US, French and British warships are patrolling the area and have shot several missiles out of the sky.
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