A Panama-flagged oil tanker bound for India via the Red Sea sustained minor damage after being hit by ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The attack, which occurred on Friday, is part of an escalation of assaults by the Houthis following a period of relative calm in their campaign related to Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Details of the Attack
According to the US military’s Central Command, the Houthis fired three missiles in the attack, one of which caused damage to the Panama-flagged, Seychelles-registered ship. The vessel, described as engaged in “Russia-linked trade” by private security firm Ambrey, was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India.
Houthi Claim of Responsibility
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree later claimed responsibility for the attack in a pre-recorded statement aired by the rebels, stating that the tanker was “directly hit.”
Incident Location and Nearby Vessels
During the assault, another vessel, the Antiqua-Barbados-flagged, Liberia-operated vessel, was also in the vicinity. The incident took place off Mocha, Yemen, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This attack marks one of over 50 incidents on shipping by the Houthis since November, as reported by the US Maritime Administration.
Recent Resurgence of Attacks
While Houthi attacks had declined in recent weeks due to intensified airstrikes by the US-led coalition in Yemen, there has been a resurgence of attacks since Wednesday.
Houthi Ultimatum and Context
The Houthis have indicated that they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians. The conflict between Israel and Hamas began after Hamas-led militants initiated attacks on Israel, resulting in casualties and hostage situations.
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Source: First Post
