Headline: Houthi Rebels Target Commercial Tanker Carrying Indian Jet Fuel, US Warship Responds
Two missiles fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen narrowly missed a commercial tanker loaded with Indian-manufactured jet fuel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday. This attack on the tanker Ardmore Encounter marks the first time the rebels have targeted an energy shipment heading to the Suez Canal. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, and the tanker remains fully operational with no loss of cargo or damage.
The American warship USS Mason, which was in the vicinity, detected and shot down a suspected Houthi drone during the attack. The vessel was traveling north towards the Suez Canal and had an armed security crew on board, who successfully repelled men on skiffs attempting to board the ship.
The Ardmore Shipping Corp, the owner of the tanker, confirmed the attack and reassured that all crew members are safe and accounted for. The ship was carrying jet fuel from Shell MRPL Aviation Fuels & Services Ltd. with its destination set for either Rotterdam or Gavle.
The Houthi rebels have been carrying out a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, and they have also threatened to target any ship they believe is going to or coming from Israel. The heightened tensions in the region, fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict, have led to increased targeting of shipping routes. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in particular, is a crucial passage through which nearly 10% of all sea-traded oil passes.
This recent attack on the Ardmore Encounter further escalates the conflict in Yemen and raises concerns about potential reprisal strikes from Western forces. As shipping in the region becomes increasingly targeted, there are growing fears that the Israel-Hamas war could evolve into a wider regional conflict. The retaliatory actions taken by the US warship underscore the international community’s resolve to maintain safety and security in the strategic waters of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing situation as tensions remain high and the prospects of reprisal strikes loom.
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