Houthis fire missile at UAE mercy ship in strait

Crewman hurt, but vessel carrying medical supplies for battle against cholera is unscathed after rebel attack

RIYADH // Houthi rebels have fired a missile at an Emirati aid ship near the Bab El Mandeb, injuring a crewman, the Saudi-led coalition said yesterday, marking the latest incident in the strategic waters.

The ship was carrying medical equipment when it left the port of Mokha, in south-west Yemen, said the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces.

The vessel was undamaged after the attack. The General Command of the Armed Forces is tracking down those behind the attack, and reiterated its warning about the danger posed to international shipping by Houthi activities.

The UAE has been delivering medical assistance to governorates in Yemen to help contain the cholera outbreak. The Emirates Red Crescent runs medical convoys to Yemen.

The rebels control northern Yemen and seized the capital Sanaa in September 2014, supported by members of the security forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The rebels claimed they carried out the attack against the “warship” and said it took place on Tuesday evening, according to their Sabanews press agency.

Coalition-backed forces supporting the internationally recognised government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi took back Mokha from the rebels in February.

The port is just north of the Bab el Mandeb, which links the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean and is vital to global trade.

An international naval coalition, the Combined Maritime Forces, on Monday warned that “there are still risks” to ships using the strait.

Yemeni rebels in late January attacked a Saudi warship in the Red Sea, killing two sailors.

Anti- government forces are also believed to have fired missiles at US warships in the area.

Last year rebels attacked a UAE vessel, the catamaran HSV2 Swift, in the Bab El Mandeb.