A cargo vessel sailing in the Red Sea was reportedly struck by a Houthi missile that was launched from Yemen as the ship was traveling through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) initially said that the Strinda, which is a Norwegian-owned-and-operated ship, was struck at around midnight local time on Monday. The missile that hit the ship was said to be an Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ACSM).
Houthi Rebels Attack Cargo Vessel
The Strinda is an oil and chemical tanker that is part of the fleet of Bergen-based shipping firm Mowinckels Rederi. According to the company's website, the vessel was on its way to Italy when it was struck by the Houthi missile.
In a statement, chief executive Geir Belsnes confirmed that the Strinda was "hit by a missile" that caused it to catch fire. He noted that fortunately, there were no injuries resulting from the attack and the crew was able to extinguish the flames.
In an email, Belsnes said that their focus has been and, and remains, the safety and well-being of the seafarers onboard the Strinda. The official added that the vessel was now "proceeding to a safe port," as per Aljazeera.
The recent attack on the ship comes amid threats to commercial shipping in the area in the middle of the Middle Eastern war between Israel and the Hamas militant group. Houthi rebels, which are backed by the Iranian government, have carried out a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea and have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel.
The rebels did not immediately take responsibility for the recent attack but there were reports that rebel military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said that an important announcement would be made very soon.
A naval agency that provides security alerts to ships, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, reported a fire on an unidentified vessel located roughly 15 nautical miles off the Yemeni port of Mokha.
Rising Tensions in the Red Sea
Houthi commandos in mid-November seized the Bahamian-flagged Galaxy Leader while it was sailing in the Red Sea, claiming that it was linked to Israel. That particular vessel and its multinational crew remain in the port of Hodeida in Yemen, according to ABC News.
There were no U.S. Navy ships near the area when the Strinda was attacked by the Houthi missile but the destroyed USS Mason later began traveling towards the ship to offer assistance. The Mason and the destroyed USS Carney have in recent weeks been involved in several incidents.
These were where they shot down Houthi missiles or drones targeting commercial ships or Israel. Currently, the United States government is in discussions with other nations to form a multinational task force to protect commercial ships that sail through the region.
Tensions have run high in the Red Sea since the Hamas militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages. In response, Israel has vowed to destroy the militant group in Gaza. Houthi rebels have repeatedly expressed their support of Hamas, said the Times of Israel.
