Yemeni rebel drones target Greek ship in government-run port

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's Iran-backed rebels said they targeted a cargo ship Friday off an oil terminal in the war-wrecked Arab country's south to prevent pro-government forces from using it for oil exports. A Greek company owning the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker said it sustained no damage in the attack by explosive-laden drones.

The attack apparently targeting the Nissos Kea marks the first announced military action since a truce between the country's warring sides expired earlier this month. It also again signals potential danger for commercial ships that pass by or stop in Yemen.

The attack happened in Ash Shihr, Yemen, near the city of Mukalla, some 585 kilometers (360 miles) east of the rebel-held capital of Sanaa in territory held by pro-government forces for years.

The Nissos Kea's owner, Athens-based Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp., said there were "two drone-driven explosions in close proximity" as it tried to load at the port. Ash Shihr's port has a crude oil pipeline at it that has a capacity of 300,000 barrels a day.

“Neither explosion impacted the vessel. All crew is safe and unharmed,” the company said. “There was no damage to the vessel and no pollution.”

Satellite data analyzed by The Associated Press showed the Nissos Kea far off Yemen's coast in the Gulf of Aden in international water and sailing away toward Oman on Saturday.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors Mideast sea traffic, acknowledged “an incident” off Ash Shihr on Friday, but only said the ship and its crew were safe. The U.S. Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not respond to questions about the attack.

The Houthis called the attack a “warning strike.”

The government denounced the attack and said “all options are open in dealing with this...