Houthi rebels attack oil tanker in Red Sea, crew unharmed

Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked an oil tanker in the Red Sea early Friday, but the crew on board was not injured, authorities said. It is the latest action against shipping by the opposition over Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The British military’s Maritime Trade Operations Center initially reported that the ship had been “hit by a missile” near the port city of Hodeidah, but said later on Friday that further inspections of the ship during the day had not revealed any damage.

It called the crew “safe” and said the ship was continuing its voyage.

Private security firm Ambre also reported Friday’s attack and said the tanker, which was carrying armed guards, had a “near miss” off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. The ship was said to be owned by Israel but changed owners in February.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement and identified the tanker as a Panamanian-flagged, Vietnamese-owned tanker. Pacific 01. The tanker was previously owned by Singapore-based East Pacific Shipping Company, which has been targeted by the Houthis on several occasions. The company is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.

The rebels also claimed their target was a US destroyer but did not elaborate. U.S. warships have been targeted by Houthi armed missiles and drone attacks on many occasions.

The Houthis have been attacking ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza.

However, most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have little or no connection to Israel, the United States or other countries involved in the war. The rebels also fired missiles at Israel, but most were unsuccessful or intercepted.

The attacks on shipping have raised the profile of the Houthis, members of the minority Shia Zaidi sect of Islam that ruled Yemen for 1,000 years until 1962.

A report on Thursday said the Houthis now possess a hypersonic missile, which could boost their popularity and put more pressure on Israel after a Gaza ceasefire failed to materialize ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hypersonic missiles will pose a more serious threat to U.S. and allied warships in the region.

In early March, a Houthi missile hit a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three crew members and forcing the survivors to abandon ship. It marked the Houthis’ first deadly attack on shipping.

Other recent actions by the Houthis include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer. ruby lakeIt sank after drifting for several days.