Saudi-led Arab Coalition have dubbed attack by Yemeni militias on a UAE ship carrying aid Saturday in the Bab al-Mandab strait as a “dangerous indication.”

The coalition said civilians onboard the ship were rescued.

Earlier, the Iran-backed Houthi militias have claimed they hit a vessel on Saturday operated by the UAE military, which is part of the Arab Coalition fighting in support of Yemen’s government.

“Rockets targeted an Emirati warship as it approached the coast of Mokha,” on the Red Sea, the Houthis said in a statement on their sabanews.net website.

“It was completely destroyed,” they said.

In a statement published by the official WAM news agency, the UAE military said the boat was on a routine trip from Aden, further south, and that it had launched an investigation.

It said the boat was hired, but did not provide more details or say if the vessel was damaged.

(With AFP)

Last Update: Saturday, 1 October 2016 KSA 20:31 - GMT 17:31