The attack follows a surge in assaults launched by the Houthis in recent days after a relative lull in their months-long campaign against Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The rebels fired three missiles during the attack, one of which damaged the Andromeda Star, flying the Panamanian flag and registered in Seychelles, the US military’s Central Command said. Private security firm Ambrey described the tanker as being “engaged in trade linked to Russia.” The ship was traveling from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, Ambrey said.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Brigadier-General. Gen. Yahya Saree later claimed responsibility for the attack Saturday morning in a pre-recorded statement released by the rebels. He described the tanker as having been “directly hit”.
Another ship, the Antiqua-Barbados-flagged Maisha, operated by Liberia, was also nearby at the time of the assault, the United States said. The attack took place off the coast of Mocha, Yemen, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on ships, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Houthi attacks have declined in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led campaign of airstrikes in Yemen. Shipping via the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined due to the threat. U.S. officials have speculated that the rebels may be short of weapons because of the U.S.-led campaign against them and after regularly firing drones and missiles in recent months.
However, since Wednesday there have been at least two other attacks claimed by the Houthis. The first targeted the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged vessel owned and operated with 18 American and four Greek crew members. Another targeted the MSC Darwin.
The Houthis have said they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.
Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis had little or no direct ties to Israel, the United States or other countries involved in the war. Rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, but they have largely failed or been intercepted.
