US says tanker ship attacked by cruise missile from Yemen

There were no US ships in vicinity at time of attack, according to Central Command

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A commercial tanker on Monday was struck by an anti-ship cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen while passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the US military said.

"At around 4 p.m. EST on December 11, the Motor Tanker STRINDA was attacked by what is assessed to have been an Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen while passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb.

"The STRINDA reported damage causing a fire on-board, but no casualties at this time. There were no US ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack," the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.

The USS Mason destroyer responded to the STRINDA's mayday call and is currently rendering assistance, it added.

A Houthi spokesman on Saturday said they will prevent all the ships heading to Israel regardless of their nationality, and warned all shipping companies to avoid dealing with Israeli ports.

The Houthi group earlier announced it was targeting Israeli ships in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The group’s operations against vessels coincide with Israel’s attacks on Gaza since the Oct. 7 cross-border offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas.

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