ADEN, Yemen, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Houthis launched on Wednesday a missile attack on a U.S. commercial ship sailing in the Gulf of Aden off the southwestern coast of Aden, Yemen, said a pro-government Coast Guard official.

According to the official, who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, the Houthi group targeted at noon the MV Yorktown, a commercial vessel owned by the United States and operated by Danish shipping company Maersk Line.

The source stated that at least two missiles were fired at the ship, with one intercepted by a nearby warship and the other landing in the vicinity of the vessel. No casualties have been reported so far.

The Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have intensified military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting Israeli-linked ships. This escalation comes amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the Houthi attacks, the U.S. and Britain have launched a joint military operation since January, conducting air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Following the military action by Washington and London, the Houthi group vowed retaliation and expanded its targeting to include American and British commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.