A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a Liberian-flagged tanker, the Mount Fuji, in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Authorities noted this incident as the rebels’ longest-range attack to date, striking a U.S.-flagged vessel near the Arabian Sea.
The attacks resumed after a week and a half of unexplained pause, possibly as the rebels regroup ahead of the arrival of a new U.S. aircraft carrier to the region, following the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s departure.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), overseen by the U.S. Navy, confirmed the location of the attack south of Mocha.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that the Mount Fuji’s captain noticed explosions beside the vessel.
“All crew members are safe,” stated the UKMTO. “The vessel is now heading to its next port of call.”
The Houthis claimed responsibility for three attacks on Tuesday, including a missile strike on a U.S.-flagged container ship, the Maersk Sentosa, in the Gulf of Aden.
The JMIC identified this as the Houthis’ longest-range attack from Yemen since November. Maersk, the Danish shipping giant, confirmed the attack but reported no injuries or damage.
“The ship and cargo were unharmed, and the vessel is continuing its journey,” Maersk stated.
The Houthis have targeted over 70 vessels with missiles and drones, resulting in four sailors’ deaths.
They have seized one vessel and sunk two since November. In June, Houthi attacks on merchant ships surged to levels not seen since December, according to the JMIC.
U.S.-led airstrikes have been ongoing since January, with a significant strike on May 30 reportedly killing at least 16 people and injuring 42 others, according to the rebels.
