Yemen's Huthi rebels claim attack on Norway-flagged tanker in Red Sea

ABU DHABI (APP) - Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a missile strike on a Norwegian-flagged tanker a day earlier off Yemen's coast.

"The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a qualitative military operation against the Norwegian ship Strinda, which was loaded with oil" bound for Israel, military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

The US military initially reported the strike, saying that a Navy destroyer had heard the ship's mayday call and was giving assistance.

The night-time attack occurred as the chemical tanker passed through Bab-el-Mandeb, the strait between Yemen and northeast Africa leading to the Red Sea, a key route toward the Suez Canal.

The Huthis, who control much of Yemen and are part of a so-called "axis of resistance" arrayed against Israel, have launched a series of drone and missile attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war more than two months ago.

In a statement posted Saturday on social media, the Huthis said they "will prevent the passage of ships heading to the Zionist entity" if food and medicine are not allowed into besieged, Hamas-ruled Gaza.