DUBAI, May 19, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A missile fired by Iran-backed rebels hit a
Greek oil tanker off Yemen early Thursday, causing some damage but no
casualties, US Central Command said.

"At approximately 1 am (Sanaa time) May 18, Iranian-backed Huthis launched
one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) into the Red Sea and struck M/T Wind,
a Panamanian-flagged, Greek owned and operated oil tanker", CENTCOM said in a
post on social media site X.

It said the vessel had recently docked in Russia and was bound for China.

The attack caused some flooding "which resulted in the loss propulsion and
steering", CENTCOM said.

A ship from the international coalition to protect the vital shipping lanes
through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea responded but no assistance was
necessary, it added.

The ship later resumed course under its own power.

Earlier, maritime security firm Ambrey reported the attack, saying it took
place off the coast of Yemen's southwestern city of Mokha overlooking the
strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait.

The British navy's maritime security agency UKMTO also said it had received a
report of a vessel "sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown
object".

"The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to its next port of call,"
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations added.

It said the incident occurred 98 nautical miles (180 kilometres) south of the
rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The Huthis who control much of Yemen have launched dozens of attacks on
vessels in and around the Red Sea since November in a campaign they say is in
solidarity with Palestinians in war-torn Gaza.

The attacks have prompted reprisal strikes by US and British forces and the
formation of the international coalition to protect shipping in the area.