A UK-registered cargo ship is at risk of sinking after being attacked by Houthis, the Yemeni group has said.

The Rubymar sustained “catastrophic” damage after being hit by a missile on Sunday, military spokesperson brigadier general Yahya Saree claimed.

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In a statement posted on X on Monday, he said the ship “came to a complete halt” after the attack and its crew were forced to abandon the vessel.

It had been travelling through the Bab al Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The spokesman said: “During the operation, we made sure the ship’s crew exited safely.

“As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking.”

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency also said a vessel was damaged by an explosion 35 nautical miles south of Yemen, forcing its crew to abandon ship.

While it did not identify the ship, the agency said it was damaged following “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel”.

A spokesperson said authorities were investigating and added: “Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel. [The] vessel [is] at anchor and all crew are safe.”

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said: “Clearly we condemn any attacks by the Houthis against commercial civilian ships.

“HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond continue to patrol the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping and, as the PM has said, we will not hesitate to act to protect freedom of navigation and lives at sea.”

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British maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed the Rubymar is a UK-registered, Belize-flagged and Lebanese-operated cargo ship, and said it had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates.

It is the latest in a string of attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea, which has caused widespread disruption to trade routes, forcing firms to reroute to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.

The Houthis began launching strikes on shipping last year to put pressure on Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza amid its war with Hamas.

Brigadier Saree reiterated on Monday that the Houthis’ attacks on ships “will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted”.

The US and UK have carried out several air strikes in Yemen as part of attempts to prevent attacks in the region.

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