Missile Attack on Tanker in Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The U.S. military reported on Tuesday morning that an anti-ship cruise missile hit a commercial ship on Monday evening. The missile was launched from a region in Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This incident is part of a series of recent attacks at an important maritime chokepoint in the Red Sea.

The incident happened at approximately 4 p.m. EST on December 11, when the tanker STRINDA came under attack, likely by an Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) launched from an area in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel forces. The incident occurred as the tanker navigated the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, CENTCOM stated on X.

The STRINDA reported sustained damage that led to a fire on board; thankfully, no casualties have been reported.

At the time of the attack, no US ships were nearby. However, the USS MASON responded to the mayday call from the M/T STRINDA and is presently assisting.

 

The attack on the oil and chemical tanker Strinda represents an escalation in the actions of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Previously focusing on ships near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with connections to Israel, they are now apparently targeting vessels without direct links to Israel.

In a video statement, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the rebels engaged the vessel only after it “ignored all warning calls.”

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint in the Red Sea region, is just 18 miles (29 km) wide at its narrowest point. It facilitates maritime navigation through two dedicated channels for both inbound and outbound shipments. This strait plays a vital role in global trade, with nearly 10% of all oil traded by sea passing through it.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. President Joe Biden that Israel would initiate military action against the Houthis if the United States did not take action.

Latest Worthy News