Amid the war in Gaza, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reportedly targeted the Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea. The Andromeda Star, engaged in trade linked to Russia, was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, when it came under attack.Confirming the incident, the British maritime security firm Ambrey said the ship’s master reported damage to the vessel.
Significantly, this incident adds to a string of strikes by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November.
Meanwhile, in response to the attack, the US Central Command has confirmed that Iran-backed Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the Red Sea. However, the officials added, it had caused only minor damage to the vessel.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the US Central Command said, “At 5:49 p.m. (Sanna time) on April 26, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea in the vicinity of MV MAISHA, an Antiqua/Barbados-flagged, Liberia-operated vessel, and MV Andromeda Star, a UK-owned and Panamanian-flagged, Seychelles-operated vessel. MV Andromeda Star reports minor damage but is continuing its voyage.”
“There are no injuries or other damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships at this time,” the US Central Command added.
Meanwhile, Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea initially stated that the Panama-flagged ship, MV Andromeda Star, was British-owned. However, shipping data indicates that it was recently sold and is now registered in the Seychelles.
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