The French military announced that a French ship patrolling the Red Sea intercepted and downed a drone on Monday, which posed a direct threat to a Norwegian-flagged oil tanker. This tanker had been attacked by Houthi militia elements in Yemen.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces reported that the multi-mission frigate “Languedoc” intervened and destroyed the drone threatening the “Strinda” tanker. The frigate then positioned itself to protect the tanker, preventing an attempted hijacking of the ship.
Moenkel Chemical Tankers, the Norwegian company owning the chemical tanker, informed Reuters on Tuesday that the vessel, having been hit by a missile off the Yemeni coast, is now heading towards a safe port. The company’s CEO confirmed that the 22-member crew from India aboard the “Strinda” tanker was unharmed.
On the same day, the Houthi militia claimed responsibility for the attack on the “Strinda” commercial oil tanker flying the Norwegian flag in the Red Sea. The militia’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated in a declaration that the group targeted the tanker with a sea missile after its crew ignored warning calls.
Saree added that over the past two days, the group had prevented several ships from passing after they heeded warnings, targeting the Norwegian oil-loaded vessel only after its crew disregarded all warning calls.
The group reiterated its vow to continue preventing ships of all nationalities from heading to Israeli ports until the needs of their “steadfast brethren” in the Gaza Strip for food and medicine are met.
