Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared on Saturday that their missiles struck the Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea, marking another episode in their series of attacks on commercial vessels.
The assault was purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. The ship sustained damage, as confirmed by the vessel’s master and British maritime security firm Ambrey.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea asserted that the Panama-flagged vessel, initially thought to be British-owned, had recently changed ownership to a Seychelles-registered company. Despite the Houthi claim, shipping data indicates that the tanker is currently engaged in trade linked to Russia, en route from Primorsk to Vadinar, Bharat.
The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have intensified their drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November. These attacks have compelled shippers to alter their routes, opting for longer and costlier journeys around southern Africa.
Concerns are mounting that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate, potentially destabilizing the Middle East further.
The assault on the Andromeda Star follows a brief hiatus in the Houthis’ targeting of ships associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain. Notably, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier exited the Red Sea via the Suez Canal on Friday after providing assistance to a U.S.-led coalition tasked with safeguarding commercial shipping routes.
Adding to tensions, the Houthis claimed on Friday that they shot down an American MQ-9 drone in Yemen’s Saada province, underscoring the volatile security situation in the region.
The attack on the Andromeda Star underscores the precarious maritime environment in the Red Sea and surrounding areas, heightening concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the potential broader implications for regional stability.
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