A Norwegian-flagged tanker has been hit by a missile in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, suspected to have been fired by Houthi rebels.
US military Central Command said an anti-ship cruise missile ‘launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen’ hit the Strinda and the destroyer USS Mason was providing assistance.
Private intelligence firms Ambrey and Dryad Global said the attack happened near the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
Geir Belsnes, chief executive of the Strinda’s operator J Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, said: ‘All crew members are unhurt and safe. The vessel is now proceeding to a safe port.’
The oil and chemical tanker was coming from Malaysia and was bound for the Suez Canal.
US military Central Command said an anti-ship cruise missile ‘launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen’ hit the Strinda and the destroyer USS Mason (pictured in 2021) was providing assistance
The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack, although rebel military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said an important announcement would be coming from them soon.
Rebels 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, although there was no immediate apparent link between the Strinda and Israel.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters after Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo vessel, the Galaxy Leader, last month.
A container ship owned by an Israeli billionaire came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean and is now being held near the port city of Hodeida.
Last week, groups of men were spotted taking selfies and touring the Galaxy Leader with the ship appearing to have become some-what of a tourist attraction.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…