DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An attack believed to be carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels resulted in several explosions near a ship navigating the Red Sea on Tuesday; however, officials reported no immediate damage to the vessel.

This incident is part of an ongoing campaign by the Houthis, who have been targeting maritime traffic for months, linking their actions to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, which have significantly impacted shipping in a waterway known for facilitating the transport of goods worth approximately $1 trillion annually. The rebels have made it clear that they will persist with such assaults as long as the wars continue, already leading to a notable reduction in maritime traffic in the area.

The explosion occurred about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Hodeida, a port city under Houthi control, and was reported by a ship in the southern sector of the Red Sea, according to the UK’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Fortunately, no injuries were reported aboard the vessel, and it proceeded with its journey, as confirmed by UKMTO. While the Houthis had not claimed responsibility for this particular attack quickly, they often take several hours or even days to publicly acknowledge their operations.

Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 90 commercial vessels with missiles and drones, managing to seize one ship and sink two others, actions that have resulted in the deaths of four sailors. Other attacks have been thwarted by a U.S.-led coalition in the region, with missiles and drones aimed at various targets, including Western military ships.

The Houthis assert that their operations specifically target vessels associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. as a strategy to compel an end to Israel’s actions against Hamas. Nonetheless, many of the affected ships appear to have little or no relation to the ongoing conflict, with some even en route to Iran.

In addition, the rebels have successfully shot down several American MQ-9 Reaper drones in recent times.

The latest maritime strike attributed to the Houthis occurred on October 28 against the Motaro, a bulk tanker flying the Liberian flag, while an attack on October 10 targeted the chemical tanker Olympic Spirit, also Liberian-flagged.

There is uncertainty surrounding the recent decrease in Houthi assaults; however, they have simultaneously launched several missiles aimed at Israel. Furthermore, on October 17, the U.S. military deployed B-2 stealth bombers to target the underground facilities utilized by the Houthis, while American airstrikes have been directed at Houthi positions in recent days.