Tanker Strinda Struck by Houthi Yemen Anti-Ship Cruise Missile in the Red Sea

On November 25, 2023, a Norwegian-flagged tanker named Strinda was hit by an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, while sailing in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The attack caused a fire on board the vessel, which was carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Europe. The crew of 23 managed to extinguish the blaze and no injuries were reported. The tanker was escorted by a Saudi-led coalition warship to a safe port for inspection and repairs.

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the region, amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for several attacks on oil tankers, cargo ships, and naval vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using drones, mines, rockets, and missiles. The rebels say they are targeting the Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing their territory since 2015, and also accuse the coalition of imposing a naval blockade on Yemen that prevents humanitarian aid and fuel from reaching the country.

The attacks on shipping pose a serious threat to the global maritime trade, as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are vital waterways that connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean, and the Suez Canal with the Horn of Africa. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), about 10% of the world’s seaborne trade passes through these routes, including oil, gas, food, and consumer goods. Any disruption or closure of these routes could have significant economic and security implications for the region and the world.