Houthi Rebels Launch Attack on Norwegian Tanker
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have made good on their threats to attack vessels linked to Israel. In a recent incident, they targeted a Norwegian oil and chemical tanker off the coast of Yemen. The Norwegian tanker, named "Strinda," was hit by a cruise missile, according to the US military's regional command.
The attack occurred in the Bab al-Mandab strait, about 15 nautical miles west of the Yemeni coastal town of Mokka. The British Maritime Warning and Control Operations Center (UKMTO) also reported the incident.
The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the crew had ignored all warnings. Previously, they had prevented several ships from passing through the Red Sea, as threatened. The rebels intended to continue blocking ships of all nationalities en route to Israeli ports until aid was delivered to Palestinians in Gaza.
The "Strinda" was bound for Israel. According to the US regional command, there was a fire and damage on board, but no injuries. There were no American ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack. The "Strinda" sent out a distress call, which was responded to by the destroyer "USS Mason," providing assistance.
This attack on the "Strinda" follows the Houthi rebels' weekend warning to block ships of any nationality destined for Israel from passing through the Red Sea in the future. Only freighters delivering aid to Gaza would be permitted passage. The Houthis have been increasingly hostile towards Israel since the Gaza conflict started, with this latest attack being the latest in a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Additional Insights:
- The Houthi attack on the "Strinda" marks the first successful strike by Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USVs) on a vessel since escalating attacks in the Red Sea. The incident resulted in significant damage, and the ship is now considered a "dead ship" requiring salvage operations.
- The Houthis have been actively targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea using various types of attacks, including drones and anti-ship missiles. These attacks have been aimed at vessels perceived to be linked to Israel, although the accuracy of such claims is often disputed.
- The international community, including the U.S. and European naval forces, has been actively responding to these threats. For example, the German frigate "Hessen" intercepted and downed two Houthi drones in February 2024, marking the German Navy's first naval engagement in Operation Aspides.
- U.S. naval forces have also intercepted and destroyed several Houthi USVs and drones in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, using helicopters as primary weapons for this purpose.
In light of their past threats against ships linked to Israel, the Houthi rebels' attack on the "Strinda" is concerning. This incident follows their warning to block ships headed towards Israeli ports, conditional upon aid being supplied to Gaza.
