Iranian-affiliated groups have warned of more attacks on ships despite continued U.S. and British airstrikes on Yemen.
Yemen's Iranian-allied Houthis have claimed new missile attacks against Western interests amid Israel's war in Gaza. This time, the United States identified the British tanker as a Panamanian-flagged vessel carrying crude oil bound for India.
The group's military spokesman Yahya Salih said in a televised statement on Saturday that “a large number of suitable naval missiles” were used to “accurately and directly” attack the Poluk tanker in the Red Sea.
“The Yemeni military will not hesitate to carry out and expand military operations to defend our beloved Yemen and affirm our continued substantive solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Salley did not provide the extent of damage to the tanker or provide further details.
Late on Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the accident occurred at 13:31 pm Japan time, about 70 nautical miles (130 km) northwest of the port city of Al Muqa (Mokha), southwest of Yemen's capital Sanaa. I confirmed that it had occurred.
“The ship reported being hit by a missile and there was an explosion at close range. Military authorities are responding,” it said, adding that the crew and ship were reported to be safe.
UKMTO Warning 031 Update 001
Attack https://t.co/OoYYDkMha5#Maritime Security #MarchSecond pic.twitter.com/Rt4EyXqJO9
— UK Maritime Trading Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 16, 2024
The U.S. State Department said Friday that the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Pollux, bound for India, was hit on its port side by a missile fired from Yemen.
“This is yet another example of lawless attacks on international shipping, which continue after numerous joint and international statements calling for a halt to the Houthis,” a State Department spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
The Houthis have been blocking trade through the Red Sea since mid-November and have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel's war in Gaza is halted and aid reaches besieged Palestinians.
The Houthi missile attack came after British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called on China to take action.
Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement that Prime Minister David Cameron urged Chinese Premier Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference on Friday to use China's influence over Iran to pressure the Houthis over the Red Sea attack. did.
Since Western allies began bombing several governorates across Yemen earlier this year, Houthi attacks have also spread to U.S. and British warships and ships.
The US has also launched separate attacks by fighter jets and warships into Yemen to attack Houthi strongholds, which US Central Command (CENTCOM) calls “self-defense strikes.”
The most recently announced attack took place on Thursday, when the U.S. military claimed to have struck three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that it said were preparing to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
“These measures will protect freedom of navigation and make the high seas safer and more secure for the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels.”
The US government has sent thousands more bombs and weapons to Tel Aviv, which is planning a ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than 1.4 million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced. Preparing to send to Israel.