The security firm advised vessels not to transit east of the Hanish Islands, 30 nautical miles to the northwest of Mocha, a port city on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, and to maintain a safe distance from small boat activity.

Ambrey added that the vessel, travelling from Bosaso, Somalia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reported having received instructions to proceed to Mocha. It did not make clear who had given the instructions.

Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Israel has responded by launching attacks on Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, including the vital Hodeidah port.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Houthis for Thursday’s attack.

Unidentified people in a wooden boat fired on a Comoros-flagged livestock carrier on Thursday in the Red Sea near Yemen, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.