The Houthi movement that controls northern Yemen has hijacked a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel which it says was engaged in "hostile acts" but which Saudi Arabia maintains was carrying hospital equipment.
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The ship was heading to the Saudi port of Jizan, just north of Yemen, from the Yemeni Red Sea island of Socotra when it was attacked just before midnight on Sunday, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, quoting coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki.
Saudi Arabia is leading a military coalition that has been battling the Houthis for more than six years.
The alliance has accused the Houthis of attacking shipping in the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest maritime lanes leading to the Suez Canal.
The cargo ship was hijacked off the western Yemeni port of Hodeidah, the coalition said.
The Houthis' military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, confirmed seizure of the vessel which he said was carrying military equipment and engaged in "hostile acts targeting the security and stability of the Yemeni people".
He added that the crew, "of different nationalities," were still on board.
In a press briefing broadcast on the group's Masirah TV, Sarea shared photos and videos that he said they were of the seized ship showing armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition.
He added the vessel had been taken to the Houthi-controlled port of Salif, north of Hodeidah.
SPA said the vessel was carrying equipment from a shuttered field hospital.
Australian Associated Press
