The Houthis said their missiles hit the oil tanker Andromeda Star in the Red Sea, as the group continues to attack commercial ships in the area.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea said on April 27 that the attacked ship was under the Panamanian flag and was British-owned, but shipping data showed it had recently been sold. Current owner registered in Seychelles, country in East Africa. The ship was participating in a commercial activity involving Russia.
Andromeda Star cargo ship at sea. Image: Vessel Finder
British maritime security company Ambrey said the captain reported damage to the ship. It was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India.
Since November 2023, the Iranian-backed Houthi force in Yemen has continuously conducted attacks with drones (UAVs) and missiles in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, forcing Cargo ship owners must rebuild their itineraries, switching to longer and more expensive routes.
The Houthis’ actions raise concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spread and destabilize the entire Middle East. Houthi announced the attack on the cargo ship to show support for Hamas in confronting Israel.
The attack on the Andromeda Star took place after a short period of time when the Houthis stopped targeting ships with connections to Israel, the US and the UK.
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 26 left the Red Sea via the Suez Canal after supporting the US-led coalition to protect commercial shipping activities in the region.
On the same day, Houthi forces said they shot down a US MQ-9 UAV over the airspace of Saada province, Yemen.
Location of Yemen and countries in the region. Graphics: AFP
Vu Hoang (According to Reuters)
