Tanker is hit by Houthi cruise missile in the Red Sea: US warship heads to support vessel targeted in latest ship attack

A Norwegian-flagged tanker was hit by a cruise missile fired by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in their latest attack on ships to protest Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.

US Central Command said an anti-tank cruise missile launched from a Houthi-controlled area of ​​Yemen hit Strinda last night, with the destroyer USS Mason assisting.

Iran-backed rebels fired a missile at the Strinda tanker after the crew refused to heed all warnings, Houthi military spokesman Yehia Saria said in a televised statement.

He vowed that the Houthis would continue to block ships heading to Israeli ports until Israel allowed food and medical aid into the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi center of power in Sanaa.

The attack on the tanker Strinda occurred about 60 nautical miles (111 km) north of the crucial Bab al-Mandab strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula at about 2100 GMT, a US official said. A second US official said the Strinda was able to move under its own power several hours after the attack.

Geir Belsnes, chief executive of Strinda operator Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, said: “All crew members were unharmed and safe. The ship is now heading to a safe port.”

The tanker with oil and chemicals was coming from Malaysia and was heading to the Suez Canal.

US Central Command said an anti-ship cruise missile “launched from a Houthi-controlled area of ​​Yemen” hit Strinda, with the destroyer USS Mason (pictured in 2021) assisting

A Houthi spokesman said the group had managed to block the passage of several ships in recent days in support of the Palestinians.

The Houthis have intervened in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has spread across the Middle East since October 7, attacking shipping in vital shipping lanes and launching drones and missiles into Israel itself.

On Saturday, the Houthis said they would attack all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against cooperating with Israeli ports.

The chemical tanker is Norwegian-flagged and its Norwegian owner, Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, and manager Hansa Tankers could not be reached for comment outside business hours.

According to shipping company Kpler, the Strinda had loaded vegetable oil and biofuels in Malaysia and was en route to Venice, Italy. It was not immediately clear whether STRINDA had any ties to Israel.

The group, which rules much of Yemen, says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel ends its offensive on the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi center of power in Sanaa.

The Houthis are one of several factions in the Iran-linked Axis of Resistance that has targeted Israeli and US targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.

During the first week of December, three commercial vessels were attacked in international waters, prompting a US Navy destroyer to intervene.

Last month, the Houthis also seized a British-owned cargo ship with links to an Israeli company.

The United States and Britain condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make decisions independently.

Saudi Arabia asked the US to show restraint in response to the attacks.