Merchant vessel reports two explosions west of Yemen's Mocha, Ambrey says

British security firm Ambrey said early on Friday that a merchant vessel reported two explosions about 21 nautical miles (39 km) west of Yemen's Mocha.

One "missile" impacted the water and another exploded in the air, the vessel reported to Ambrey, adding that both explosions occurred within 0.5 nautical miles of the vessel.

"The vessel was withholding its automatic identification system transmissions at the time. Ambrey is investigating the vessel's affiliations with the Houthi target profile," the Ambrey advisory said.

Earlier on Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on X, formerly Twitter, that in the past 24 hours, CENTCOM forces destroyed five Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM forces also destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the Red Sea and one Houthi UAS in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

Direct threat to US, coalition forces, and merchant vessels 

CENTCOM said these systems presented a direct threat to US, coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. 

July 11 USCENTCOM UpdateIn the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea.USCENTCOM forces also successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the… pic.twitter.com/aXKmxXS3fm

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 11, 2024

The Houthis have been launching drone and missile strikes on shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza.

The Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least three seafarers since it began attacking ships in November.