The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out an attack against the American-owned Genco Picardy as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden, the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced on Wednesday night.

The top official said that the attack came "In support of the plight of the Palestinian people and in solidarity with our brethren in the Gaza Strip, and within the framework of responding to the American-British aggression on our country."

Firing several anti-ship missiles, the Yemeni Armed Forces dealt "precise and direct hits" to the Genco Picardy.

The spokesperson reiterated that the YAF will not hesitate to target "all sources of threat in the Arabian and Red Sea, within the legitimate right of defending [Yemen] and supporting the oppressed Palestinian people."

Moreover, Saree warned the United States and the United Kingdom of an inevitable response to their attacks on Yemen, adding that any renewed aggression "will not go without retaliation and punishment."

Earlier today the UKMTO had reported that a vessel was hit on the port side of the Gulf of Aden, 60 nautical miles to the southeast of Aden. The UKMTO said that a distress call had detailed the events of a supposed drone attack on the vessel, which led to a fire on board, that was allegedly put out.

The operations come in the context of continuous American violations of Yemen's sovereignty after the latter launched air and missile strikes on the country on multiple occasions.

Read more: US, UK ships within bank of targets of Yemeni Armed Forces: Saree

US designates Ansar Allah as a global terror group

Earlier today, the United States officially designated the Ansar Allah Movement in Yemen, as a global terrorist group, citing attacks on naval vessels in the Red Sea, as a driver of the decision.

The decision will take effect on February 16 this year, in which Ansar Allah will become a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, Jake Sullivan, the Biden Administration's national security Advisor announced on Wednesday.

In response to the designation, the head of the movement's Negotiating Envoy and top official, Mohammad Abdul-Salam said that the US has used the designation for "political purposes."

He slammed the decision, emphasizing that it "will not deter [Yemen] from our steadfast support for the Palestinian people."

The official underlined that the decision will have minimal to "no effectiveness on the ground," adding that it will only "strengthen [Ansar Allah's] commitment to supporting" Palestine.

Read more: Macron says France will not attack Yemeni targets to avoid escalations