Unity Explorer: British merchant ship hit by missile in attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Red Sea

The Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer, owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted in the drone and missile assault on Sunday. US military Central Command said the Unity Explorer sustained minor damage in the attack.

Two other ships registered in Panama were also struck by missiles, the Number 9 reporting some damage with the Sophie II suffering no significant damage, according to Central Command. A military statement said guided-missile destroyer USS Carney shot down three drones in the attacks after responding to calls for assistance.

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According to reports by the Associated Press, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Unity Explorer and one of the other attacks. US Central Command said the attacks represented a “direct threat” to maritime security and commerce.

It said: “We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran.” Yemen’s Houthis have been launching a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeting Israel in response to its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Earlier in November, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship also linked to Israel in the Red Sea off Yemen. Missiles landed near another US warship last week after it assisted a vessel linked to Israel that had briefly been seized by gunmen.