Houthis kill three in first deadly attack since start of Iran war - reports
Houthi rebels have reportedly killed three crew members in an attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea. This incident marks the first deadly strike by the group since the escalation of regional tensions involving Iran.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the ongoing instability in vital maritime trade routes and the potential for broader regional conflict in the Middle East.
Image caption, Images of the damaged vessel have been verified by the BBC
Three people have reportedly been killed in a Houthi attack on a small cargo ship in the Red Sea, in what would be the first deadly strike by the group on a vessel since the US and Israel started a conflict against Iran.
The ship is reported to have been hit by a projectile south of the Yemeni port of Mocha causing casualties, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations Centre has said.
Yemen's Houthis are allied to Iran and enjoy Tehran's full support. They began attacks on shipping last month - announcing a naval blockade of Saudi ports.
The conflict in the region has been ongoing since the end of February, punctuated by a faltering ceasefire which was meant to lead to a deal to end the war.
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