Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit Norwegian tanker with one missile

• A spokesperson for the Houthi rebels claimed that the MT Strinda was transporting oil to Israel.
• The United States has warned of potential “appropriate responses,” attributing these attacks to Iranian support.
• Several ships have allegedly been prevented from passing through Yemeni waters in recent days.

A spokesperson for the Houthi rebels claimed that the MT Strinda was transporting oil to Israel, while the ship’s owners insisted it was a route to Italy with feedstock for biofuel.

The Houthis, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians, have pledged to obstruct ships heading to Israel. The United States has warned of potential “appropriate responses,” attributing these attacks to Iranian support.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree asserted that the ship was targeted when its crew failed to respond to warnings. Several ships have allegedly been prevented from passing through Yemeni waters in recent days.

The attack on the MT Strinda occurred in the Bab El Mandeb strait at the Red Sea’s entrance, causing a fire on board. However, the ship managed to reach a safe port after extinguishing the flames. Fortunately, the 30-member crew, all Indian citizens, remained unharmed.

Responding to a distress call, a US Navy destroyer assisted the MT Strinda. The Bab El Mandeb Strait, a vital passage for global trade, witnesses around 17,000 ships annually, with 10% of the world’s trade. Ships traveling to or from the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal must navigate this strait.

The Houthi rebels, engaged in conflict with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. They align themselves with an “axis of resistance” comprising Iran-affiliated groups opposing Israel, the US, and the broader Western alliance. Recent attacks on commercial ships, including the MT Strinda, have heightened tensions in the region, prompting intervention by the US Navy. In November, the rebels seized the cargo ship Galaxy Leader.

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