Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for launching missiles at the Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea, marking a resumption of their attacks on commercial vessels. The incident follows a temporary halt in the Houthis’ targeting of ships with connections to Israel, the United States, and Britain.
The Andromeda Star, a Panama-flagged vessel believed to be British-owned according to Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea, sustained damage during the attack, as reported by the ship’s master. However, shipping data indicates that the tanker was recently sold and is now registered in Seychelles.
The oil tanker, previously owned by a UK entity, was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, engaged in trade linked to Russia. The attack highlights the ongoing threat posed by Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who have been launching drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November.
These attacks have disrupted shipping routes, forcing vessels to take longer and costlier journeys around southern Africa. Concerns have been raised about the potential for escalation and destabilization in the Middle East, particularly amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The assault on the Andromeda Star comes amid the departure of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The carrier had been part of a U.S.-led coalition aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping in the region.
Additionally, the Houthis announced on Friday that they had downed an American MQ-9 drone in Yemen’s Saada province, underscoring the ongoing tensions and military activities in the region.
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