Oil tanker struck by missile near Yemen

A crude oil tanker was struck by a missile off the coast of Yemen’s southwestern city of Mokha, near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, according to maritime security firm Ambrey on Saturday.

Ambrey reported that a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was “attacked” approximately 10 nautical miles southwest of Mokha. The firm indicated that the vessel was hit by a missile, causing a fire in the steering gear area.

Later, Ambrey confirmed that the tanker had received assistance and that one of its steering units was still operational.

The British navy’s maritime security agency, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), stated earlier that they had received a report of a vessel “sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown object.” UKMTO assured that the vessel and its crew were safe and continuing to their next destination. They noted the incident occurred 76 nautical miles (140 kilometers) off Yemen’s Hodeidah but did not specify the type of vessel involved.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of Yemen, have conducted numerous attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea since November. They claim these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

These rebel attacks have led to retaliatory strikes by U.S. and British forces and prompted the formation of an international coalition to safeguard the crucial shipping routes through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.