Ambrey, a British maritime security company, reported on Monday an attack against a general cargo ship flying the Dutch flag 120 nautical miles south-east of Yemen's port of Aden.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said also that military authorities had reported that a ship, located 128 nautical mile off Aden, was hit by an unidentified projectile, and that it was on fire.

Ambrey and the UKMTO both confirmed that they had received reports of smoke near the vessel. The UKMTO said the master of the ship reported seeing a splash far away.

Ambrey said that the vessel did not transmit its automatic identification system at the time of attack.

Ambrey claims that the vessel was targeted previously on 23 September on its journey to Djibouti.

The UKMTO

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On September 23, a vessel near Aden reported hearing an explosion and a splash 120 nautical miles east.

The two firms could not agree on who was responsible.

The reported attack did not confirm if it was by the Houthis of Yemen, which are allied with Iran. They have launched a number of attacks in the Red Sea on vessels they believe to be connected with Israel. They claim that this is in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's Gaza war. Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Menna Alaa elDin, and Tala Ramadan. Editing by Toby Chopra.

(source: Reuters)