The Houthi rebel group in Yemen, aligned with Iran, declared on Tuesday that they carried out a military operation against the Norwegian commercial tanker STRINDA. This action was presented as a protest against Israel's ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sareea, the group targeted the tanker with a rocket after the crew allegedly disregarded all warnings.
Sareea emphasized that the Houthis would persist in blocking ships bound for Israeli ports until Israel allows the entry of essential supplies, including food and medical aid, into the Gaza Strip. The attack on the STRINDA occurred approximately 60 nautical miles north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, around 2100 GMT. According to a U.S. official, the STRINDA managed to navigate under its own power in the hours following the attack.
Although the assault caused a fire and damage, there were no reported casualties, as confirmed by a statement from the U.S. military. In response to a distress call from the STRINDA, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS MASON, even though not in the immediate vicinity, promptly offered assistance.
The Houthi spokesperson highlighted that their group had successfully obstructed the passage of several ships in recent days, positioning themselves in solidarity with the Palestinians in the context of the broader Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis have escalated their involvement by targeting vessels in critical shipping lanes and launching drones and missiles at Israel since the conflict intensified on October 7.
