NEW DELHI : YEMEN-based Houthi rebels on early Saturday fired ballistic missiles on an oil tanker travelling through the Red Sea heading towards India from Russia. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the Panama-flagged, Seychelles-registered Andromeda Star was attacked twice.
The crew is safe and the vessel is en route to its destination Vadinar port in Gujarat. The attack happened about 14 nautical miles off Al Mukha in Yemen.
Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree in a pre-recorded statement claimed responsibility for the attack.
The oil tanker originated from Primorsk, Russia.
“The first was an explosion close to the vessel and the second consisted of two missile attacks, which damaged the vessel,” according to UKMTO. The agency issued an advisory for ships to sail with caution.
The US military’s Central Command said there was a ‘minor damage’ to the oil tanker.
Another vessel was also nearby at the time of the assault, it added.
Last year, Houthis said they will continue to target Israel-bound vessels till it stops its assault on Gaza. Since November, they have launched more than 50 attacks on the ships passing through Red Sea, seized one vessel and sank another one.
In recent times there was a lull in the Houthis attacks on ships. But from Wednesday the attacks restarted.
Houthis’ successful attacks have been on vessels heading to of other nations than Israel.