A British cargo vessel was attacked on the Red Sea on Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The attack on the ship happened west of Hodeida in Yemen just after midnight.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but the associated press reports that suspicions are on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The UKMTO said the ship’s master was “aware of a small craft on his port side” before a projectile was fired at the ship.

No crew member was injured in the attack.

The vessel sustained small damage to its bridge windows, but it was deemed safe to continue its journey.

Earlier on Monday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK would, if necessary, not hesitate to respond again, in self-defence, to the Houthis in Yemen.

He was updating MPs after the UK and the U.S. took part in joint airstrikes against Houthi rebel sites on Saturday.

Mr Shapps said the attacks were in line with international law and in self-defence, adding that they had targeted three military facilities following “very careful analysis.”  

(dpa/NAN)