The Yemeni Houthi group claims responsibility for the attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Tuesday and an attempt to attack Israel with drones.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping said that there were no casualties to its crew due to the attack on its ship United VIII, which was en route from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. The company said the ship informed a nearby coalition warship that it had been attacked and carried out evasive maneuvers.

Israel separately said that its aircraft intercepted a hostile air target in the Red Sea region.

The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said in a televised speech that the group targeted the ship, which he identified as “MSC United,” after its crew failed to respond to warnings.

He also said that the Houthis carried out a military operation targeting Eilat and other areas in Israel, which he referred to as occupied Palestine. He did not say whether any of the targets were successfully hit.

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen including the capital, have since October attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea that they say have Israeli links or are sailing to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.