Five missiles land near ship in Red Sea, likely latest attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A ship crossing the Red Sea came under repeated missile fire Friday in a likely attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, authorities said, the latest targeting the crucial shipping route .

Five missiles landed near the ship as it sailed off the coast of the rebel-controlled port city of Hodeida in Yemen, the British military's maritime commercial operations center said.

The missiles landed near the ship, but caused no damage, UKTMO added.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. However, it sometimes takes hours or even days for them to recognize an attack.

The rebels targeted more than 60 ships by firing missiles and drones during their campaign which killed a total of four sailors. They have seized one ship and sunk two since November. A US-led airstrikes campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes on May 30 that killed at least 16 people and injured 42 others, according to the rebels.

The Houthis say their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the vessels attacked have little or no connection to the war between Israel and Hamas – including some bound for Iran.

On Tuesday night, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group was responsible for an attack Monday on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-run container ship MSC Sarah V. On Wednesday, the Houthis said they used a new hypersonic ballistic missile in the assault, which targeted a vessel farther away than almost any previous attack they have launched in the Gulf of Aden.

The U.S. military's Central Command also said it destroyed a Houthi radar site. Another attack Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden was reportedly carried out by the Houthis, although they have not yet claimed responsibility. A Houthi attack also took place Thursday in the Red Sea.