<p>Washington: A land-based cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen has struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire and damage but no casualties, two US defence officials told <em>Reuters</em> on Monday.</p><p>The attack on the tanker STRINDA took place about 60 nautical miles (111km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait about 2100 GMT, one of the officials said. The US Navy destroyer USS Mason was there and rendered aid, the officials said.</p><p>The Iran-aligned Houthis have waded into the conflict - which has spread around the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7 - attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself.</p>.As fighting rages in Gaza, Israel issues warnings on another front.<p>On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.</p><p>It was not immediately clear whether the STRINDA had any ties to Israel or if it was heading to an Israeli port.</p><p>The group, which rules much of Yemen, says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive on the Gaza Strip - more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.</p><p>The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance" that have been taking aim at Israeli and US targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.</p><p>During the first week of December, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters, prompting a US Navy destroyer to intervene.</p><p>The Houthis also seized last month a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.</p><p>The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.</p><p>Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attacks.</p>
<p>Washington: A land-based cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen has struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire and damage but no casualties, two US defence officials told <em>Reuters</em> on Monday.</p><p>The attack on the tanker STRINDA took place about 60 nautical miles (111km) north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait about 2100 GMT, one of the officials said. The US Navy destroyer USS Mason was there and rendered aid, the officials said.</p><p>The Iran-aligned Houthis have waded into the conflict - which has spread around the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7 - attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself.</p>.As fighting rages in Gaza, Israel issues warnings on another front.<p>On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.</p><p>It was not immediately clear whether the STRINDA had any ties to Israel or if it was heading to an Israeli port.</p><p>The group, which rules much of Yemen, says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive on the Gaza Strip - more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.</p><p>The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance" that have been taking aim at Israeli and US targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.</p><p>During the first week of December, three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters, prompting a US Navy destroyer to intervene.</p><p>The Houthis also seized last month a British-owned cargo ship that had links with an Israeli company.</p><p>The United States and Britain have condemned the attacks on shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis. Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.</p><p>Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attacks.</p>