The Houthis have launched a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea, authorities have said.

The group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor. 

He described using a “drone boat” in the attack, as well as drones and ballistic missiles.

In a warning to shippers, the British military’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was hit in the stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah.

The captain “reports the vessel is taking on water, and not under command of the crew,” the UKMTO said. 

The US military’s Central Command also acknowledged the attack, saying the Tutor “most recently docked in Russia”.

“The impact of the [drone boat] caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room,” it added.

What has been happening in the Red Sea?

The Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

They say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians, though the attacks often target vessels that have nothing to do with the conflict.

The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.