A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels slammed into a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen near a key maritime chokepoint, the rebels and authorities said Tuesday.
The assault on the oil and chemical tanker Strinda expands a campaign by the Iranian-backed rebels targeting ships close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into now striking those that have no clear ties to Israel.
The move potentially imperils cargo and energy shipments coming through the Suez Canal and further widens the international impact of the Israel-Hamas war now raging in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree issued a video statement saying the rebels only fired on the vessel when it “rejected all warning calls.”
The US military’s Central Command issued a statement Tuesday saying an anti-ship cruise missile “launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen” hit the Strinda.
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to Daily Express US
Central Command said: “There were no US ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the USS Mason responded … and is currently rendering assistance.
The Mason is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that has been involved in several of the recent incidents off Yemen.
The private intelligence firms Ambrey and Dryad Global had earlier confirmed the attack happened near the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
Geir Belsnes, the CEO of the Strinda’s operator, J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, also confirmed the attack took place.
Belsnes said: “All crew members are unhurt and safe. The vessel is now proceeding to a safe port.”
The Houthis have carried out a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and also launched drones and missiles targeting Israel.
They have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel, though there was no immediately apparent link between the Strinda and Israel.
Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said over the weekend that Israel has called on its Western allies to address the threats from Yemen and would give them “some time” to organise a response.
But he said if the threats persist, “we will act to remove this blockade.”
Analysts suggest the Houthis hope to shore up waning popular support after years of civil war in Yemen between it and Saudi-backed forces.
