The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says a merchant vessel has been hit by “five rocket-propelled grenades” 51 nautical miles (94km) in the Red Sea, west of Yemen’s Hodeidah port, Al Jazeera reports.

According to the British maritime agency, the vessel sustained “significant damage and has lost all propulsion”.

“The vessel is surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack,” said UKMTO.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on shipping vessels off Yemen’s coast, saying the action was in solidarity with Palestinians in the besieged and bombarded Gaza.