DUBAI, May 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A crude oil tanker was hit by a missile offthe coast of Yemen's rebel-held city of Mokha overlooking the strategic Babal-Mandeb strait, maritime security firm Ambrey said Saturday. "A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was reportedly 'attacked'" about 10nautical miles southwest of Mokha, Ambrey said, adding that information"indicated the vessel was hit by a missile and that there was a fire in thesteering gear flat". The British navy's maritime security agency had earlier said it received areport of a vessel "sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknownobject". The Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who control much of Yemen, have launched dozensof attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea since November in a campaignthey say is in solidarity with Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. The rebel attacks have prompted reprisal strikes by US and British forces andthe formation of an international coalition to protect the vital shippinglanes through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha May 18, 2024 07:59 UTC