Cruise missile from Yemen strikes tanker ship - US officials
- By Reuters -
- Dec 12, 2023
WASHINGTON: A land-based cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire and damage but no casualties, two US defence officials told Reuters on Monday.
The attack on the tanker STRINDA took place about 60 nautical miles (111km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait about 2100 GMT, one of officials said. The US Navy destroyer USS Mason was there and provided aid, the officials said.
The second official said the STRINDA was moving under its own power in the hours after the attack.
The chemical tanker is Norway flagged, and its Norwegian owner, Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, and manager Hansa Tankers could not be immediately reached for comment outside office hours.
Houthis have waded into the conflict – which has spread around the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7 – attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself.
Read more: Houthis seize ship in Red Sea with link to Israeli company
On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
The STRINDA had loaded vegetable oil and biofuels in Malaysia and was headed for Venice, Italy, data from shiptracking firm Kpler showed.
It was not immediately clear whether the STRINDA had any ties to Israel.
The group, which rules much of Yemen, says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive on the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.