Ship on fire near Yemen after second attack in as many days

A small cargo ship caught fire after being hit by three projectiles while sailing in the Gulf of Aden, marking the second significant incident in two days and a further intensification of attacks.

The attack on the Verbena occurred about 158 ​​kilometers east of Aden in Yemen and damage control efforts were underway, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, which coordinates liaison between the ships military and commercial. One person was injured. A second ship, the Seaguardian, was also attacked in the Red Sea.

The Verbena crossed the Gulf of Aden earlier Thursday but continued sailing, according to ship tracking compiled by Bloomberg. There was no signal from the Seaguardian at the time it was attacked, suggesting the ship may have turned off its tracking transponder as it passed the Yemeni coast.

A Houthi spokesman said in a televised statement that the group had claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Houthi attacks on ships in Yemen's Red Sea have been commonplace since late last year and have led to a reduction in traffic of around 70% compared to the beginning of December. The group has targeted ships as part of what it sees as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, a cargo carrier called Tutor suffered severe flooding in its engine room following the first successful maritime drone attack during the current Houthi campaign.

The owners of Tutor and Verbena did not respond to requests for comment.

Photograph: Houthi attacks in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea have been commonplace since late last year. Photo credit: Loïc Venance/AFP/Getty Images

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