Red Sea Tanker Attacked by a Houthi Cruise Missile Amid Rising Tensions in the Region

US Army's Central Command reported that the commercial tanker "STRINDA" was targeted in the Red Sea by what is believed to be an anti-ship cruise missile. The attack occurred approximately 100 kilometers north of the Bab al-Mandab strait, an area controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The vessel was en route through the strategic strait when the incident unfolded.

The US Central Command confirmed that a fire erupted on the tanker, but fortunately, no casualties were reported. An American destroyer in the vicinity rushed to provide assistance. It remains unclear whether the targeted ship has any connection to Israel or was headed to one of the country's ports.

Earlier reports from the British agency mentioned a "security incident" near the Bab al-Mandab strait, west of the port city of Muha in Yemen. Subsequent updates indicated that an entity claiming to be the "Yemen Navy" directed a vessel to alter its course toward a port in the country.

Simultaneously, sources revealed that three explosions were heard in Al-Hoban, east of Tez, where Houthi forces are stationed. Local residents reported the presence of aircraft in the area before the explosions occurred.

In a separate incident, a French destroyer reported intercepting two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched at it in the Red Sea, near the Houthi-controlled port city of Al-Hodeida. The French military disclosed that the encounter took place 110 kilometers off the coast of Yemen.

These developments unfolded against the backdrop of the Houthi rebels' declaration to block any ship heading to Israel through the Red Sea. The Houthi army spokesman asserted their intention to attack vessels, irrespective of their ownership, if Gaza does not receive the necessary food and medicine.

In Israel, there is a heated debate on how to address the Houthi threat. Some senior officials advocate for military action against the Iran-backed Houthis, citing concerns about showing weakness. However, a senior security official cautioned against precipitous action, asserting that any Israeli intervention could inadvertently serve the Houthis and Iranians, distracting from key priorities in Gaza.

This incident follows a previous Houthi attack a week ago on two ships in the Red Sea, described as "suspected to be Israeli." The first vessel, damaged but not displaying the Israeli flag, has connections to an Israeli businessman. The second, a British ship known as "Number 9," sustained severe damage from a surface-to-sea missile, prompting a five-hour response from the American destroyer USS Carney, deployed in the Red Sea.