Yemen rebels seize vessel in Red Sea

Yemeni rebels have seized an Emirati-flagged vessel in the Red Sea, the insurgents and a Saudi-led coalition said yesterday, giving conflicting details for the latest escalation in a seven-year war.

The coalition, fighting in support of Yemen's internationally-recognised government, said the vessel, named Rawabi, was carrying medical supplies but the rebels said they seized "a military cargo ship with military equipment". It was kidnapped at 23:57 (2057 GMT) Sunday while off Hodeida province, it added.

The coalition has been fighting for nearly seven years in support of Yemen's government against the Iran-backed Huthis, and fighting has intensified over the past few weeks.

In a statement cited by the official Saudi Press Agency, an official said the vessel was travelling from Yemen's Socotra island to the Saudi city of Jazan.