DUBAI, Feb 6, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Yemen's Huthi rebels said Tuesday they had

struck US and British ships in two attacks in the Red Sea, the latest among
dozens of incidents that have disrupted global shipping.

The Iran-backed rebels, who control much of the war-torn country, have been
harassing shipping in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians
in the Israel-Hamas war.

Their attacks have triggered reprisals by US and British forces, including a
wave of air strikes that hit dozens of targets late on Saturday.

Huthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the first attack on Tuesday "targeted the
American ship Star Nasia, while the other targeted the British ship Morning
Tide".

The Huthis "will carry out more military operations against all hostile
American-British targets" in self-defence, Saree warned on X, formerly
Twitter.

Security firm Ambrey had initially reported a drone attack on a British-owned
cargo ship off Yemen but later said a projectile had targeted the Barbados-
flagged vessel.

It was launched from a small boat sighted near the ship, Ambrey said, adding
that the projectile did not impact the ship but exploded nearby, causing
minor damage.

There were no casualties among the crew, the British firm said.

British maritime security agency UKMTO said it had received a report of an
incident off the rebel-held port city of Hodeida.

"The master stated that a projectile was fired at his vessel on the port side
which passed over the deck, causing slight damage to the bridge windows,"
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, without identifying the vessel
or the flag it was flying.

"The vessel and crew are safe," it added, saying the ship was proceeding on
its voyage as planned.

- Trade disruption -

The Greek merchant marine ministry said the Star Nasia sustained material
damage but that the hull did not appear to have been breached and no injuries
were reported among the Filipino crew.

Ambrey, in a report on the incident, said a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-
owned bulk carrier was targeted while transiting southwest of Aden.

The vessel, en route from the United States to India, reported an explosion
50 metres off its starboard side, Ambrey said, also adding that no injuries
were reported.

"The vessel's owner was listed on the US stock market," the firm said.
"Ambrey assessed it likely the vessel was assessed to be US-affiliated due to
the vessel owner and US port call."

UKMTO also said it had received a report of an explosion in close proximity
to a merchant vessel transiting southwest of Aden. It said the vessel and
crew were safe, without providing additional details.

The Huthis have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial shipping and
naval vessels since November 19, according to the Pentagon.

In a helicopter assault on November 19, the Huthis captured the Galaxy
Leader, an Israel-linked cargo vessel and its 25 international crew, which
include at least two Bulgarian nationals.

They forced it to the Hodeidah port, where it has remained.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgy Gvozdeykov said Tuesday that the sailors
of the Galaxy Leader are "safe and sound" and would shortly return to
Bulgaria.

"The information we have ... on the sailors of the Galaxy Leader captured in
the Red Sea is that they are well, safe and sound and are staying in a
hotel," the minister told private Bulgarian television station bTV.

The Huthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around
southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a vital route that normally carries
about 12 percent of global maritime trade.

Most trade between Asia and Europe usually passes through the Red Sea and the
Suez Canal that leads to the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the International Monetary Fund's PortWatch platform, total
transit volume through the Suez Canal was down 37 percent this year by
January 16 compared with the same period a year earlier.