Norwegian tanker ship hit by missile off Yemeni coast
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that the Norwegian-registered Strinda, an oil and chemical tanker, was hit by a missile while passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen. The incident occurred at about midnight local time on Monday, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
According to reports, the attack is believed to have been carried out by an Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The Strinda is part of the fleet of Bergen-based shipping firm Mowinckels Rederi and was en route to Italy at the time of the attack.
Chief executive Geir Belsnes confirmed that the ship had been struck by a missile and caught fire, but the crew managed to extinguish the fire. Belsnes also stated that the ship is now proceeding to a safe port.
The attack on the vessel comes amidst growing threats to commercial shipping in the region, particularly amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthi rebel group in Yemen, which is backed by Iran, has carried out a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and has launched drones and missiles targeting Israel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a fire on an unidentified vessel about 15 nautical miles off the Yemeni port of Mokha, marking the last known location of the Strinda. The US Navy’s USS Mason responded to the Strinda’s distress call and provided assistance.
Both the US and France have noted the presence of Houthi drones heading towards their ships in the area, but have stopped short of confirming that their ships have been targeted. Washington and Israel have refrained from direct responses to the attacks, with Israel’s military stating that the ships attacked were not linked to the country.
This recent incident adds to a string of attacks on vessels in the region, including the seizure of a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel by the Houthis in the Red Sea in November. Despite the attacks, a tentative ceasefire between the Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been holding after years of conflict that has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.