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British Navy reports attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha

© Sergey Khabotin/TASS

LONDON, February 19. /TASS/. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported a new attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen.

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 35 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO," the statement says. It is not reported what vessel has been attacked.

With the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalating, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement announced that it would conduct strikes on Israeli territory and block pro-Israeli vessels from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Tel Aviv ceases its military operation in the Palestinian enclave. The Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November of last year.

In response to Ansar Allah’s actions, US officials announced the formation of an international coalition and the preparation of Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure freedom of navigation and protection of ships in the Red Sea. Following this, US forces launched strikes against Houthi targets in a number of Yemeni cities, including Sanaa and Hodeidah. British Air Force aircraft took part in the raids several times.

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