Ambrey, a British security company, said that on Sunday a general cargo ship flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda was hit by a missile at 83 nautical mile southeast of Yemen’s Aden. The fire started before it could be contained.

Earlier, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that it received a report on an incident from a captain aboard a vessel 80 nautical miles south-east of Yemen's Aden.

UKMTO also said that it received a report about an incident which occurred 70 nautical miles south-west of Aden from the master of another vessel.

Since months, the Houthi militia that controls Yemen's most populous areas and is aligned to Iran has been attacking ships near its coast, claiming it was acting in solidarity with Palestinians who are fighting Israel in Gaza.

The forward station of the ship was hit by a missile as it was traveling southwest along the Gulf of Aden. Ambrey stated in a note that a fire had started, but it was quickly extinguished.

"A second missile, which was seen but not fired at the ship." During the incident, people on small boats near the ship opened fire.

Ambrey stated that the ship changed course with an increased speed to port, and added that "no injury was reported."

Since November, Houthi fighters are targeting the Bab al-Mandab Strait or Gulf of Aden with drones and missiles. This has forced shippers to make longer and more expensive journeys through southern Africa.