Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked a UK-owned bulk carrier in the Red Sea causing an oil slick, the US military said in the early hours of Saturday. The Rubymar, a Belize-flagged vessel, was attacked on February 18, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, adding that the vessel “is anchored but slowly taking on water.” The Houthi rebels said on Monday that they had attacked a British ship in the Gulf of Aden, claiming that it was so severely damaged that it could sink. CENTCOM said that the vessel suffered “significant damage,” and that the attack had caused an 18-mile (29-k…