Missile Launched from Yemen Hits Tanker

A missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen struck a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Tuesday.

The U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the attack caused a fire on board the tanker STRINDA, but that there were no reported casualties.

CENTCOM said the missile was assessed to be an anti-ship cruise missile that struck the vessel as it passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which links the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, CENTCOM said. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mason responded to the incident and provided assistance to the STRINDA.

The attack is the latest by the Iran-backed Houthi militants in or near the Red Sea, in addition to the launching of drones and missiles targeting Israel, reports VOA.

The Houthis said Saturday they would target any ships heading to Israel through the vital shipping lanes that pass by Yemen.