A CHEMICAL tanker was attacked with a cruise missile after an Iran-backed militia group vowed to attack all ships heading for Israel.
This is the latest in a string of attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
An anti-ship missile was fired at the Strinda, a Norwegian-flagged vessel, on Monday evening.
The rocket caused a fire onboard, but there were reportedly no casualties.
The ambush came in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, off the coast of Houthi-controlled Yemen south of Israel.
Houthi spokesperson Yehia Sareea said they targeted the tanker after the crew refused to respond to their threats.
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A US Navy ship, the USS Mason, intervened to help the Strinda which was reportedly able to move on its own hours after the attack.
US Central Command wrote on X/Twitter: "There were no U.S. ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, but the (U.S. Navy destroyer) USS MASON responded to the M/T STRINDA's mayday call and is currently rendering assistance."
The crew were apparently able to put out the fire onboard and make it safely to a port.
It is part of a fleet owned by shipping firm Mowinckels Rederi, and was on its way to Italy.
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO), said it received reports of an "entity declaring itself to be the Yemeni Navy, ordering a naval to alter course to a Yemen port".
It also warned other ships in the area to be careful.
Just weeks ago a tanker owned by an Israeli billionaire was reportedly hijacked off the coast of Yemen with 22 crew members on board.
The US Navy was again forced to engage as the Central Park was seized.
And just days before another Israeli owned ship with 25 onboard was ambushed by Houthi rebels who stormed the deck with guns.
Chilling footage showed a chopper landing on the cargo carrier before several gunmen swarmed.
The Houthi militants held the international crew at gunpoint during the brutal attack.
The rebel group have made several missile and drone attacks against Israel since the massacre by Hamas on October 7.
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They control Yemen and its coast along the Red Sea.
It is widely believed they receive support from Iran – and often operate as one of its proxies.
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