Yemen's Iran-backed rebels said they targeted a cargo ship off an oil terminal in the war-wrecked Arab country's south to prevent their rivals, the pro-government forces, from using it for oil exports.
The statement on Friday was the first announced military action since a truce between the country's warring sides expired earlier this month.
The Houthis said the attack in the port of Dabba, in Yemen's eastern province of Hadramawt province, was a “warning strike.” The territory is controlled by the country's internationally recognised government.
War has raged since 2014 in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and pro-government forces, backed by a coalition of Sunni Gulf Arab states.
The government denounced the attack and said “all options are open in dealing with this terrorist action," and warned it could negatively affect any further peace talks.
It also said Friday's strike was the third in recent days by Houthi drones on shipping in their territory, after another ship was targeted on Tuesday and Wednesday night in the port of Radoum, in the central part of Yemen's coast on the Gulf of Aden.
Hadramawt's governor, Mabkhout bin Madi, said Friday's attack involved two drone strikes — hours apart — very close to the vessel, which he said was Greek-owned. The ship and crew were unharmed and the vessel has since sailed to a safe location.