In the midst of ongoing tensions, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, launched an attack on a Norwegian oil tanker. Identified as the "Strinda," the vessel was en route from Malaysia to Italy, carrying raw materials for biofuel. The attack took place in the strategic Bab-al-Mandeb strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
As per Houthi spokesperson Saree, the tanker's crew disregarded the warnings issued before the attack. The result was damage and a fire, yet fortunately, no casualties were reported. The Norwegian shipping company, J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, confirmed these details and added that the Indian crew successfully extinguished the fire.
The "Strinda," owned by Norwegian company Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, was headed for the Suez Canal at the time, linking the north of the Red Sea with the Mediterranean. The anti-ship cruise missile used in the attack was reportedly fired from a Yemeni region controlled by the Houthi rebels.
The USA's Central Command (Centcom) released a statement confirming that the Norwegian-flagged "Strinda" sent out a distress call, prompting the intervention of the USS Mason. Additionally, the French Navy, specifically the frigate "Languedoc," intervened to protect the "Strinda" against a drone threat and prevent an attempted hijacking.
The Houthi militia in Yemen has a history of launching drone and missile attacks against Israel and targeting ships in the Red Sea. Following the attack on the "Galaxy Leader" freighter and its crew, the Houthi rebels threatened further attacks on ships heading for Israel if no humanitarian aid reached the Gaza Strip.
Given the broader context, several countries are looking to form a naval alliance to bolster maritime security in the Red Sea. The U.S., with the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group 2 participating in the operation, has led the coalition. The UK, France, Denmark, the EU, Norway, Greece, Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore are among the countries contributing to this effort, with various roles and levels of involvement.
