Tanker in Red Sea is targeted in a suspected attack by Houthi rebels

A tanker in the Red Sea was targeted in a suspected attack by Houthi rebels, but the ship’s crew was unharmed, authorities said.

It was the latest in the rebels’ campaign against shipping over Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre initially reported the ship had been “struck by a missile” off the port city of Hodeida, but yesterday afternoon it said further inspection of the vessel in daylight found no damage.

It described the crew as being “safe” and said the ship was continuing on its way.

Private security firm Ambrey also reported yesterday’s attack and said the tanker, which had armed guards on board, had a “near miss” on Thursday off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and identified the tanker as the Panamaflagged, Vietnameseowned Pacific 01.

That tanker previously had been owned by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which has been repeatedly targeted by the Houthis.

That company is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.

The rebels also claimed they targeted an American destroyer, without elaborating.

US warships have repeatedly been targeted by Houthi missile and drone attacks.

The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in Gaza.

The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the US or other nations involved in the war.

The rebels have also fired missiles towards

Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

A report on Thursday claimed the Houthis now had a hypersonic missile, putting more pressure on Israel after a ceasefire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hypersonic missiles also would pose a more serious threat to American and allied warships in the region.

Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel.

It marked the first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping.

Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertiliser, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days.