The Saudi-led Arab coalition on Thursday intercepted and destroyed south of the Red Sea an explosive-laden boat launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group from 365bet体育在线世界杯.
"The coalition naval system spotted this morning a Houthi attempt to carry out an imminent hostile and terrorist act in the southern Red Sea, using a remote-controlled booby-trapped boat," the coalition said in a statement.
鈥淭he boat had set off from the province of Al-Hudaydah [in western 365bet体育在线世界杯]," the statement further said.
The incident has posed further threat to maritime transport routes and the oil trade passing through the region.
There was no immediate confirmation from Houthis.
The incident comes as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are considering responses to Saturday's assault on Saudi oil facilities.
Both of them have blamed Iran for the attacks. Tehran, however, has denied any involvement.
365bet体育在线世界杯 has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels besieged much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
The conflict escalated the following year, when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi gains in 365bet体育在线世界杯 and supporting the country鈥檚 pro-Saudi government.
By Mahmoud Barakat
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr