Houthi forces in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack on an alleged ‘dark fleet’ oil tanker, Andromeda Star, which was hit by missiles on Saturday.
The Royal Navy monitoring operation UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the attack on the tanker at a position about 14 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. Houthi forces have attacked Western vessels many times in this area at the north end of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Andromeda Star’s master reported two attacks to UKMTO. In the first, an explosion occurred near the ship, close enough for the crew to feel it. This was followed by a second attack during which two missiles targeted the ship, resulting in damage to the tanker.
The Indian Navy responded to the vessel and dispatched an explosives ordinance disposal team aboard to check for any potential hazards.
A second vessel, the tanker Maisha, was also targeted during the attack but it was not hit.
No injuries were reported and both vessels continued on their journeys.
According to security company Ambrey, the Andromeda Star, which is believed to be involved in trade with Russian connections, was sailing from Primorsk in Russia to Vadinar in India.
Andromeda Star is allegedly part of the "dark fleet" of lightly insured, lightly regulated tankers that transport sanctioned oil. At the time of the attack the vessel was broadcasting "no contact with Israel" on its Automatic Identification Signal (AIS).
Houthi movement spokesperson Yahya Sarea said that the tanker, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is British-owned. However, according to Ambrey, the ship is now owned by the Seychelles after a recent sale.
A Houthi spokesman also claimed the rebels shot down a US military MQ9 drone aircraft on Friday. However, while the US has not officially announced the shootdown, an American official reportedly quietly confirmed the incident to media outlet CBS.
