The U.S. Navy said in a statement that an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemeni targeted a commercial tanker ship, resulting in damage and fire but no injuries.
A US official told the media that the attack on the tanker STRINDA happened at around 2100 GMT, 60 nautical miles (111 km) north of the Bab Al Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. In the hours following the strike, the STRINDA was able to move on its own, according to a second US official.
While no US ships were in the area at the time of the attack, the US military’s Central Command, which is in charge of American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement posted on social media platform X that “the (US Navy destroyer) USS MASON responded to the M/T STRINDA’s mayday call and is currently rendering assistance.”
The Norwegian owners of the chemical tanker, Mowinckel Chemical Tankers, and manager Hansa Tankers were not immediately available for comment after business hours. The vessel is flagged in Norway.
The Israel-Hamas battle, which has erupted over the Middle East since October 7, has been entered by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who have attacked ships in crucial shipping routes and fired missiles and drones at Israel.
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