A land-based cruise missile launched from
Houthi-controlled Yemen has struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire
and damage but no casualties, said two US defense officials.
The attack on the motor transport
STRINDA took place about 60 nautical miles north of Bab al-Mandab Strait, one
of the officials said. U.S. Navy destroyer Mason was on scene and rendering aid.
Yemen’s Houthi movement has been
targeting international shipping amid regional tensions over the Israel-Hamas
war. On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading to
Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping
companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
It was not immediately clear if the
STRINDA had any ties to Israel or if it was heading to an Israeli port.
Reuters Israel has observed “heightened
aggression and increased attacks by Iranian-backed Hezbolllah”, war cabinet
member Benny Gantz said Monday, vowing “to remove such threat from the civilian
population of northern Israel”.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank and
Lebanon, a general strike in solidarity with Gaza saw shops, schools and
government offices closed on Monday.
AFP
