Attack on Norwegian-flagged Oil Tanker Near Yemen Continues Expansion of Houthi Rebel Attacks

The U.S. Central Command issued a statement on Tuesday saying a cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen struck the oil tanker 'Strinda.' According to the Associated Press, Central Command stated, 'No American vessels were in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the USS Mason responded to a request for assistance... and is currently providing aid.' The USS Mason has participated in several recent incidents in Yemen. Reports indicate that the 'Strinda' tanker, which originated from Malaysia, was en route to the Suez Canal. Officials announced on Tuesday that a missile suspected to have been fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen hit a Norwegian-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea near a key Yemeni maritime station. The attack on the 'Strinda' oil and chemical tanker expands the campaign of Iranian-backed rebels targeting vessels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and apparently now includes ships with no clear connection to Israel. According to the Associated Press, this potentially jeopardizes energy shipments passing through the Suez Canal and further impacts the international ramifications of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. As of the time of this report, the Houthis had not immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Associated Press quoted a spokesperson for the rebels as saying an announcement would be made soon. Previously, the 'UK Maritime Trade Operations' agency reported on Monday that the 'self-proclaimed Yemeni Navy' had ordered a passing oil tanker to divert its course to an 'undisclosed port in Yemen.' Reuters reported that the UKMTO had also received reports of a fire on a vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Yemen. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a maritime route through which a significant portion of the world's oil is transported, and it remains unclear whether these two incidents are related. The Iranian-backed Houthi group announced on Saturday that it would target all vessels heading north towards Israel—regardless of their nationality—and warned all international shipping companies against dealings with Israel. Recently, the Houthis have attacked and seized several vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, launching ballistic missiles and armed drones towards Israel. The Houthis are one of several groups in the 'Resistance Axis' aligned with the Islamic Republic that have targeted Israeli and American interests since October 7, when Hamas militants launched a terrorist attack on Israel. Earlier, Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated on December 7 at a press conference that Washington believes, based on evidence and reasons, that these attacks, while carried out by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by the Iranian government. The U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, announced on Sunday, December 3, during Houthi missile attacks on several commercial vessels, that a U.S. Navy destroyer shot down three Houthi drones. Despite the evidence gathered, the Islamic Republic has denied involvement in the Houthi attacks. Strengthening the escort of commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which U.S. officials are discussing, is of high priority, a topic with historical precedence in the Middle East.