Sana’a: Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility on Saturday for launching missiles that struck the Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea. This latest attack adds to a series of assaults on commercial vessels in the region, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict.
Confirmation from the US Central Command revealed that the Iran-backed Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the Red Sea, resulting in minor damages to the Andromeda Star.
The targeted vessel, engaged in trade linked to Russia, was en route from Russia’s Primorsk to India’s Vadinar.
According to reports from British maritime security firm Ambrey, the ship’s master reported damage to the vessel following the attack.
While one missile caused minor damage to the Andromeda Star, another missile landed near the MV Maisha, a second vessel, fortunately leaving it unscathed, as stated by US Central Command via social media.
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Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that the Panama-flagged Andromeda Star was British-owned. However, shipping data indicates a recent change in ownership, with the vessel currently registered in Seychelles.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have been conducting frequent drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November. These attacks have forced shippers to seek alternate, longer routes around southern Africa, resulting in increased costs and logistical challenges. Moreover, there are concerns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate and destabilize the Middle East region.
The assault on the Andromeda Star marks a resumption of the Houthis’ targeting of ships associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain, following a brief hiatus.
Meanwhile, the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier departed the Red Sea via the Suez Canal on Friday, having assisted a US-led coalition in safeguarding commercial shipping in the area.
In a separate incident on Friday, the Houthis claimed to have downed an American MQ-9 drone in Yemen’s Saada province airspace.
