Yemen's Houthis ballistic missile misses fuel tanker Torm Thor, says US

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said early on February 26 that Yemen's Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile likely targeting the MV Torm Thor, but missed the US-flagged, owned and operated oil tanker, in the Gulf of Aden on February 24.

The missile impacted the water causing no damage nor injuries, CENTCOM added in a post on X, Caliber.Az reports.  

Red Sea Update

On Feb. 24 at 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), the Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile likely targeting the M/V Torm Thor, a U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil product tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The missile impacted the water… pic.twitter.com/JVbGmOO7Qo

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 26, 2024

The Iran-aligned group said on February 25 that they targeted the tanker, as the militants continue to attack shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.  

The US military also shot down in "self-defence" two one-way unmanned aerial attack vehicles over the southern Red Sea on Sunday, said CENTCOM.  

The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have launched exploding drones and missiles at commercial vessels since Nov. 19 as a protest against Israel's military operations in Gaza.  

The turmoil from Israel's war with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has spilled over to some extent into other parts of the Middle East. Apart from the Houthi attacks on vital shipping lanes, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group has traded fire with Israel along the Israel-Lebanon border and Iraqi militia have attacked bases that host US forces.