The Norwegian tanker ‘Strinda’ was hit by a cruise missile off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday evening. US officials said Houthi rebels fired the missile as the tanker passed through the strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. No one was injured, but a fire broke out on board.
The anti-ship cruise missile was fired from an area of Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels, US Central Command CENTCOM said.
Accordingly, the Norwegian-flagged ship issued a distress call and the American warship “USS Mason” rushed to the tanker to render assistance.
Repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began after October 7, the Houthi militia in Yemen has repeatedly fired drones and missiles at Israel and attacked ships in the Red Sea. On November 19, Houthi fighters also captured the cargo ship Galaxy Leader and its crew.
Iran-backed rebels on Saturday threatened further attacks on ships in the Red Sea bound for Israel if humanitarian aid did not reach the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebels see themselves as part of the self-proclaimed “Axis of Resistance” aimed against Israel.
Strait is of great importance for the transport of petroleum
‘The Strait of Bab-al-Mandeb, where the Strinda was attacked, lies between Djibouti and Yemen and connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden – and therefore to the Indian Ocean. It is of great importance for global maritime trade, especially for the transportation of petroleum.
The approximately 144 meter long ‘Strinda’, owned by the Norwegian company Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, was en route to the Suez Canal, which connects the northern Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea, at the time of the attack.
Source: Krone
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