The first attack occurred about ten miles from the port of al-Hudaydah in Yemen, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. According to UKMTO, two explosions occurred near the vessel, but no damage has been reported.
Hours later, a second attack took place a few kilometers further away from al-Hudaydah. According to UKMTO, it was initially unclear whether the same vessel had been attacked again, but the private British maritime security company Ambrey reports that the same vessel was the target in all three attacks.
Another vessel, a Panama-flagged oil tanker located northwest of Hodeida, reported an explosion "near the vessel" during the day, according to UKTMO.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Houthi movement, which has carried out several attacks in the area since the war in Gaza broke out, is suspected of being behind them. They sometimes wait several days before claiming responsibility for attacks.
Since the war between Hamas and Israel began in October, the Houthi movement has targeted more than 70 vessels in the area. The movement claims to have targeted vessels linked to Israel, the USA, or the UK in order to force an end to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.
Since January, the USA and the UK have responded by targeting several Houthi targets in Yemen.
