A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targets a ship transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has targeted a Liberian-flagged tanker in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The vessel’s captain reported explosions off the side of the vessel. The Joint Maritime Information Center, which is overseen by the U.S. Navy, says the vessel and crew are safe. The Houthis have not claimed the attack as of early Thursday. The attack comes after an unexplained pause of a week and a half by the rebels. They may be regrouping ahead of the arrival of a new U.S. aircraft carrier to the region after the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower began heading home.