A merchant ship of Greek interests issued a distress signal after it was hit in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen, British maritime security company Ambrey announced today, in yet another attack, apparently by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The merchant ship was struck by a small boat, as announced by the British Maritime Safety Organization UKMTO.

The vessel was damaged in what appeared to be a deliberate attack, two shipping industry sources said on condition of anonymity, adding that the engine room was damaged.

The ship was struck about 68 nautical miles (about 126 km) southwest of Hodeidah, a rebel-held port, Ambrey said.

“The ship fits the profile of one of the targets (announced) by the Houthis,” Ambrey said, without elaborating.

The Greek ship’s management company was not immediately available for comment, according to the Reuters cable.

Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region since November in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The company estimated in a statement that “the ship is in line with the profile of one of the targets (announced) by the Houthis”, without giving any other details.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came amid repeated attacks since November by the rebels against merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.