Crew extinguishes blaze on tanker hit by missile in Gulf of Aden
U.S. and British warplanes, ships, and submarines have launched retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen following recent attacks on shipping in the Gulf of Aden. The latest incident involved the tanker Marlin Luanda, which was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile on Friday. However, the crew successfully extinguished the fire, and all personnel on board are safe.
Commodities trader Trafigura, the owner of the Marlin Luanda, confirmed that the fire in the cargo tank had been fully extinguished and that the vessel was now en route to a safe harbor. The firefighting effort was supported by naval vessels from India, the United States, and France. The U.S. military, in particular, provided assistance after the attack, which saw a U.S. Navy ship and other coalition vessels deployed to help the stricken tanker.
Houthi militants, aligned with Iran, have been launching waves of drones and missiles at vessels since November 19. These attacks are in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. As a result, some shipping companies have opted to suspend transits through the Red Sea, instead choosing longer and costlier journeys around Africa.
Most of the Houthi attacks have specifically targeted container vessels moving through the Red Sea, while many oil tankers have continued to use the route. In the case of the Marlin Luanda, which was flagged in the Marshall Islands, a distress call was issued when the vessel suffered damage from the Houthi missile. The U.S. Central Command reported that the USS Carney and other coalition ships were providing immediate assistance.
Furthermore, the U.S. military took swift action to neutralize an imminent threat. Just eight hours after the incident involving the Marlin Luanda, a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea was destroyed by the U.S. military, according to Central Command. This action aimed to protect merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region.
In response to the escalating situation, Al-Masira, a television channel affiliated with the Houthis, reported that the United States and Britain had launched airstrikes targeting Yemen’s main oil export terminal, Ras Issa. However, it remains unconfirmed whether these airstrikes were in direct response to the missile attack on the Marlin Luanda. The U.S. Fifth Fleet has yet to comment, and the British Defense Ministry declined to provide any further details.
The attack on the Marlin Luanda comes amidst a series of Houthi threats to maritime security in the region. As tensions continue to rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and considering appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of shipping in the Gulf of Aden.
