Israel-Hamas war: Missile attack on oil tanker going to India in Red Sea attack

The US State Department said on Friday that a Panama-flagged tanker carrying crude oil to India was attacked by a missile in the Red Sea.

According to the State Department, a missile launched from Yemen hit the M/T Pollux on its port side.

Earlier on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Embrey said the Panama-flagged tanker collided 72 nautical miles (133 km) northwest of the port of Mokha, off Yemen. Was killed.

“The ship…reportedly sustained minor damage. The crew is reported safe and secure,” Embrey said.

“This is another example of Chaotic attacks on international shipping“That continues despite multiple joint and international statements calling for the Houthis to be demobilized,” a State Department spokesperson said.

According to LSEG data, the M/T Pollux departed from the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk on January 24 and was scheduled to disembark at Paradip, India, on February 28. Indian Oil Company has a 300,000 barrel per day (bpd) oil refinery at Paradip in eastern Odisha state.

According to LSEG data, the vessel is owned by Oceanfront Maritime Company SA and managed by Sea Trade Marine SA. Representatives for those companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Embrey said another vessel three nautical miles north-east of the M/T Pollux was seen changing course to port, away from the tanker.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have said they will continue attacking Red Sea ships in solidarity with Palestinians as long as Israel continues to commit “crimes” against them.

“Our operations are having a major impact on the enemy which is a major success and a real victory,” Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday.

The attacks on ships have disrupted global trade, stoked inflation fears and deepened concerns the Israel-Hamas war could escalate.