Yemen's Houthi attack sinks merchant vessel

A merchant vessel struck by the Yemeni Houthi group days ago has sunk in the Red Sea, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a facility of the British navy for handling international shipping emergencies, reported Tuesday.

The Greek-owned bulk carrier "Tutor" was hit twice on June 12 approximately 66 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, the Yemeni government Coast Guard officials told media outlets shortly after the strikes.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that the group targeted the ship with "an unmanned boat, several drones, and ballistic missiles," causing severe damage and putting the vessel "at risk of sinking."

Since last November, the Houthis have been conducting military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting ships they claim are Israel-linked or bound for Israel.

The group, which controls much of northern Yemen and the crucial Hodeidah port, has launched attacks against commercial shipping using numerous booby-trapped boats, missiles, and drones.