Panamanian-flagged oil tanker hit by missile in Red Sea

CAIRO, Egypt — A Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker was attacked near Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mocha, British security firm Ambrey says, in the latest incident in waters where Houthi rebels have targeted ships in solidarity with Palestinians.

Ambrey says a radio communication indicated the ship was hit by a missile and that there was a fire onboard about 10 nautical miles southwest of Mokha. It had received assistance and one of its steering units was functional, Ambrey adds, citing information it had received but without giving more details.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have been staging attacks on the commercially important waterway for months in opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza.

Other vessels in the vicinity are advised to exercise caution, Ambrey adds in an advisory note.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency says that a vessel in the Red Sea was struck by an unknown object and sustained slight damage.

“The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to its next port of call,” UKMTO says in an advisory note on the incident 98 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Hodeidah port.