Panama-flagged tanker hit by projectile off Yemen in Red Sea incident

A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off Yemen, causing it to catch fire. The incident occurred 23 nautical miles northwest of the Red Sea port of al-Mukha, with the crew managing to extinguish the fire and the vessel continuing on to its next port of call. The tanker, registered under Union Maritime Ltd, a UK company, had changed its registration details last month.

The attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi operatives have been ongoing for months, disrupting global shipping and forcing firms to take longer and more expensive routes around southern Africa. The Houthis claim their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, vowing to continue until Israel ends the war and withdraws from the enclave. The United States and Britain have responded by launching strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and designating the militia as a terrorist group.

The situation in the Red Sea has raised concerns about the potential for wider destabilization in the Middle East. The attacks by the Houthis following the Israel-Hamas war have caused disruptions in global shipping and heightened tensions in the region. The United States and Britain have taken action against the Houthi targets in response to the attacks, as the conflict continues to escalate.

Source .