Missile fired by Houthi rebels strikes a Norwegian ship in Red Sea

DUBAI, United Arab Emir- es—Ami siefiredbyYemen’s Houthi rebels slammed into a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen near a key maritime chokepoint, the rebels and authorities said Tuesday.

The assault on the oil and chemical tanker Strinda expands a campaign by the Iranian-backed rebels targeting ships close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into appar- ently now striking those that

e no clear ties to Israel. That potentially imperils cargo and energy shipments coming through the Suez Canal and further widens the international impact of the Israel-Hamas war now raging in the Gaza Strip.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree issued a video statement say- ing the rebels only fired on the vessel when it “rejected all warning calls.”

The U.S. military’s Central Command issued a statement Tuesday saying an anti-ship cruise missile “launched from a Houthi-controlled area of France’s Armies Ministry Yemen” hit the Strinda. separately said that its frigate

“There were no U.S. ships Languedoc shot down a drone in the vicinity at the time that was “threatening” the of the attack, but the USS Strinda during the attack. The Mason responded ... and is French frigate “then positioned currently rendering assis- itself to protect the affected tance,” Central Command vessel, prevent ng an attempt said. The Mason is an Ar eigh to hijack the ship,” the French

ke-class destroyer that has military said. been involved in several of the Private intelligence firms recent incidents off Yemen. had earlier confirmed the attack happened near the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. Geir Belsnes, the CEO of the Strinda’s operator, J. Ludwig Mow

ckels Rederi, also confirmed the attack took place. “All crew members are unhurt and safe,” Belsnes said. “The vessel is now proceeding to a safe port.”