Yemen's Houthis kill 16 government troops; cargo ship reports attack in Red Sea
Both incidents were reported near the port city of Hodeidah, which is under control of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group.
A cargo ship came under attack Sunday off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, the British military said, the latest maritime attack off the conflict-torn Arab country.
Also this weekend, Yemen's Houthi rebels killed 16 troops in an attack on government-aligned forces, in some of the most violent fighting seen between the sides in years.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship reported being "under attack by unknown armed assailants" 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeida.
A skiff approached the bulk carrier and opened fire, forcing security guards to return fire, before sailing back to a larger ship about 2 nautical miles away with its automatic identification system switched off, the UKMTO said. The cargo ship and crew were reported safe, the British military said, adding that authorities were investigating.
No group immediately claimed the attack. The Houthis have threatened to begin attacking ships again. A Houthi spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.