UKMTO: Ship catches fire off Yemen Coast after projectile strike
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The crew on board of the ship managed to put out the fire.
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Screengrab from the UKMTO website showing the hit vessel (UKMTO)
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday that a ship transiting in the Red Sea was struck by an unidentified projectile and caught fire 23 nautical miles west of Yemen's port of Mocha.
The statement added that the crew on board of the ship managed to put out the fire.
"UKMTO is aware of an incident 23NM west of Mukha, Yemen. A vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile. The resulting fire was successfully extinguished by the crew. Vessel and crew reported safe," the authority said in a statement on X.
UKMTO DAILY SUMMARY
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) March 23, 2024
1600UTC 22 Mar 24 to 1600UTC 23 Mar 24https://t.co/tOa68P17Ig#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/Ff9DGxSnT0
The agency advised ships in the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity.
Read more: Red Sea threats most significant since World War Two: US Navy officer
The Yemeni resistance has been actively engaged in an ongoing campaign to block maritime transit in the Red Sea for commercial ships and military vessels linked to "Israel." Its operations are aimed at choking the Israeli economy in order to pressure the regime to cease its genocidal campaign on Gaza.
On Friday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that US fighter jets opened fired on "three underground storage facilities."
"These strikes targeted capabilities used by the Houthis to threaten and attack naval ships and merchant vessels in the region," Centcom said in a tweet.
March 22 Red Sea Update
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 23, 2024
On March 22, between approximately 4:22 a.m. and 11:10 p.m. (Sanaa time), United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense.
During… pic.twitter.com/lFHlCaduX3
