A projectile fired from rebel-controlled Yemen hit a cargo ship in the Red Sea, a US official and an intelligence firm said, the latest in a series of attacks.

“We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” the US defence official told AFP.

Private intelligence firm Ambrey said the container ship, owned by German transport company Hapag-Lloyd, “sustained physical damage from an aerial attack” north of the Yemeni coastal city of Mocha.

“The projectile reportedly hit the port side of the vessel and one container fell overboard due to the impact. The projectile caused a fire on deck” that was reported over the radio, Ambrey said.