The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen announced on Tuesday that it had carried out a military operation against the Norwegian commercial oil tanker STRINDA in the latest act protesting Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Attack on the STRINDA Oil Tanker
The group targeted the tanker with a missile after its crew refused to heed all warnings, according to the Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarie in a televised statement.
Threat to Block Ship Passage
Sarie vowed that the Houthis would continue to block ships heading to Israeli ports until Israel allows the entry of food and medical aid into the Gaza Strip – which is over 1,000 miles from the Houthis’ base in Sana’a.
Location of the Attack and U.S. Intervention
The attack on the STRINDA oil tanker occurred about 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, around 2100 GMT, according to an American official who spoke to Reuters. Another U.S. official stated that the STRINDA was able to move under its own power in the hours following the attack.
U.S. Forces Intervention
The U.S. Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, confirmed in a statement posted on social media platform X that no U.S. ships were in the area at the time of the attack, but the American destroyer USS MASON responded to the STRINDA’s distress call for help.
Damage and Consequences
The attack caused a fire and damage, but resulted in no casualties, according to the U.S. military.
Houthi Support for Palestinians
The Houthi spokesman stated that the group has succeeded in obstructing the passage of several ships in recent days as a demonstration of its support for the Palestinians.
Tanker’s Destination and Crew
The chemical tanker is now heading to a safe port, according to its Norwegian owner Mowinckel Chemical Tankers. Chairman Jørgen Belsnes confirmed that the crew of the STRINDA, consisting of 22 individuals from India, was unharmed.
Continued Houthi Attacks
The Houthis have entered into the Israel-Hamas conflict, attacking ships in vital shipping lanes and launching drones and missiles at Israel itself.
Houthi Warning to International Shipping Companies
On Saturday, the Houthis stated that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
The Tanker and Its Connection to Israel
It was not immediately clear whether the STRINDA tanker had any connection to Israel.
Houthi Attacks and Iranian Threat
The group claims that its attacks are an expression of support for the Palestinians and pledged to continue until Israel stops its assault on the Gaza Strip – which is over 1,000 miles from the Houthis’ base in Sana’a. The Houthis are seen as one of several groups in the “Axis of Resistance” aligned with Iran that have targeted Israeli and American interests since the Palestinian Hamas attack on Israel in October.
U.S. and British Forces Intervention
In the first week of December, three commercial vessels were attacked in international waters, prompting the American naval destroyer to intervene. The Houthis also seized a cargo ship belonging to a British company last month that had ties with an Israeli company.
U.S. and British Positions
The United States and Britain condemned the attacks on the vessels, accusing Iran of playing a role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran claims that its allies make their decisions independently.
Source: Reuters
Read more:
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