Houthis strike Panamanian-flagged tanker with missile near Yemen coast
Yemen's Houthis say they will continue sinking British ships
According to marine security firm Ambrey, on Saturday, a missile struck a crude oil tanker near the coast of Mokha, in southwest Yemen, which is located across the strategic Bab Al-Mandeb strait.
"A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was reportedly 'attacked'" about 10 nautical miles southwest of Mokha, Ambrey said. The firmadded that information "indicated the vessel was hit by a missile and that there was a fire" in the ship's rear.
Later, the company stated that it had "received information indicating that the tanker had received assistance.One of the steering units of the vessel was reportedly functional.”
The marine security department of the Britishnavypreviously reported that it had received a report of a vessel that was "sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown object."
“The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to its next port of call,” United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) added.
It did not state what kind of vessel was involved, only that it happened 98 nautical miles (180 kilometers) south of Hodeidah, Yemen.
Since November, the Houthi rebels, who hold sway over a large portion of Yemen and are backed by Iran, have attacked many ships in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. They claim that their actions are a show of support for the Palestinian people in Gaza, which is devastated by conflict.
In response to the attacks by Houthi rebels,USand British military launched retaliatory strikes and formed an international alliance to safeguard the crucial trade routes thatcrossthe Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
