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YEMEN: A Missile Fired By Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Strikes A Norwegian-Flagged Tanker In The Red Sea

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YEMEN: A Missile Fired By Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Strikes A Norwegian-Flagged Tanker In The Red Sea

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Both the rebels and the authorities claim that a Houthi missile fired from Yemen struck a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea off Yemen’s coast close to a crucial maritime chokepoint.

The attack on the oil and chemical tanker Strinda broadens an Iranian-backed rebel campaign targeting ships near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, reportedly now targeting ships with no obvious ties to Israel. This potentially jeopardizes cargo and energy shipments passing via the Suez Canal and broadens the international impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict currently raging in the Gaza Strip.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokeswoman, said in a video message that the rebels only fired on the tanker after it “rejected all warning calls.”

The U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that an anti-ship cruise missile “launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen” hit the Strinda.

A Missile Fired By Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Strikes A Norwegian-Flagged Tanker In The Red Sea

“There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the USS Mason responded … and is currently rendering assistance,” Central Command said. The Mason is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer involved in several recent events off the coast of Yemen.

Separately, France’s Armies Ministry stated that during the incident, its frigate Languedoc shot down a drone that was “threatening” the Strinda.

The French frigate “then positioned itself to protect the affected vessel, preventing an attempted hijacking of the ship,” according to the French military.

Private intelligence organizations Ambrey and Dryad Global have previously reported the strike occurred near the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Geir Belsnes, CEO of Strinda’s operator, J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, also confirmed the attack.

“All crew members are safe and unharmed,” Belsnes stated. “The vessel is now proceeding to a safe port.”

The Strinda was en route from Malaysia to the Suez Canal and subsequently to Italy with a cargo of palm oil, according to Belsnes. Saree claimed, without providing evidence, that the ship was going for Israel.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which issues alerts to sailors in the Middle East, previously reported a fire aboard an unnamed vessel off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, with no casualties. Based on satellite tracking data obtained by The Associated Press, the coordinates of the fire correlate to the last known location of the Strinda.

In the Red Sea, Houthi Rebels from Yemen fire a missile that hits a tanker flying the Norwegian flag.

The Houthis have launched drones and missiles at Israel in response to a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea. In recent days, they have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is heading to or returning from Israel, even though there was no obvious relationship between the Strinda and Israel.

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s national security adviser, stated over the weekend that Israel has asked its Western friends to handle the Yemeni threats and will give them “some time” to prepare a response. However, he stated that if the threats continue, “we will act to remove this blockade.”

Analysts believe the Houthis are hoping to shore up dwindling civilian support in Yemen following years of civil war between them and Saudi-backed forces.

France and the United States have refrained from declaring rebels attacked their ships, but they have alleged Houthi drones approached their ships and were shot down in self-defense. So yet, neither Washington nor Israel has responded directly to the attacks, with the Israeli military claiming that the ships have no ties to their country.

In the Red Sea, Houthi Rebels from Yemen fire a missile that hits a tanker flying the Norwegian flag.

As the Israel-Hamas crisis threatens to escalate into a wider regional conflict, global shipping has become increasingly targeted – even during a brief respite in fighting during which Hamas exchanged hostages for Palestinian captives held by Israel. The breakdown of the cease-fire and the commencement of a devastating Israeli ground offensive and airstrikes on Gaza have increased the likelihood of further sea attacks.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two lanes for inbound and outbound shipments. It transports over 10% of the oil traded at sea.

On Tuesday, Maersk, a major Danish shipping company, said it has “implemented additional security measures for our vessels and seafarers in the area, including rerouting” around the strait.

“The recent escalations and statement from Yemen’s Houthi movement are concerning as they expand the scope of commercial vessels that could be a potential target for the Houthis,” the company said in a statement. “Clearly, there is a need for the situation to be de-escalated to ensure the safety of people and that trade of essential goods can move in a normalized manner.”

A Missile Fired By Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Strikes A Norwegian-Flagged Tanker In The Red Sea

The Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea off Yemen in November. The rebels near the port city of Hodeida are still holding the vessel. Separately, an Israeli billionaire’s container ship was attacked in the Indian Ocean by a suspected Iranian drone.

Despite Yemen’s long war, a separate, tenuous cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on its behalf has held for months. This has fueled fears that a larger confrontation in the sea — or a potential retaliatory strike by Western forces — may revive tensions in the Arab world’s poorest country.

To respond to missiles fired at U.S. Navy ships at the time, the U.S. launched Tomahawk cruise missiles that destroyed three coastal radar installations in Houthi-controlled territory in 2016.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

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