The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security agency, reported on Monday that it had received a report of an explosion near a ship off the coast of Yemen, and added that the vessel and its crew were safe.

The agency, affiliated with the British Navy, stated that the ship's captain "reported hearing an explosion in the vicinity of the vessel" southwest of the Yemeni port of Salif.

Ambrey, another British maritime security firm, also stated that it is “aware” of a "missile-related incident" west of the coastal city of Hodeidah, without providing further details.

No party claimed responsibility for any attack yet. However, this comes amidst the ongoing (since Nov. 19) series of attacks against “Israeli” or “Israeli-linked” ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in response to the “Israeli” aggression against the Gaza Strip.

In an attempt to deter them, US and British forces have been conducting strikes in retaliation on Houthi-affiliated sites in Yemen since January 12th, after which the Houthis began targeting American and British ships considering them “legitimate targets”.