The Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday night, identifying the vessel as the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Motaro, and said, without providing evidence, that the rebels had hit the ship.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree also claimed responsibility for two other alleged attacks in the Arabian Sea, but offered no evidence that they had taken place.
The attack was carried out by the ship's crew as it passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Peninsula from East Africa, the maritime security agency UKMTO said.
According to UKMTO, which is under the auspices of the UK military, the captain reported two explosions near the vessel, although "the ship and all crew are considered safe".
Private security firm Ambrey also described the attack as involving "two explosions close" to the ship.
Ambrey added that the ship was not broadcasting its position at the time of the attack and that it had a private armed security force on board, something many ships have chosen to do in the wake of Houthi attacks.
The last attack by Yemeni rebels was on October 10, targeting the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker Olympic Spirit.
The Houthis have used missiles and drones to attack more than 90 merchant ships since the Gaza war began in October 2023, seizing one ship and sinking two, in a campaign that has killed four sailors.
Other missiles and drones have been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or have failed to hit their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.
The rebels say they are targeting ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel's campaign against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza.
The violence has disrupted international shipping through the Red Sea, once worth billions of dollars worth of goods annually.
