Tanker engulfed in flames in Gulf of Aden following Houthi missile strike

A British-owned tanker was hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, causing it to catch fire and require assistance. The incident occurred 60 nautical miles southeast of Yemen, Aden, and the vessel is believed to be the MT Marlin Luanda owned by UK-based Oceanix Services and chartered to Trafigura. The tanker, built in 2018, has a deadweight capacity of 109,991 tons and is designed to carry naphtha, a highly flammable petroleum product.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack, but all crew members were reported safe. Despite nearly three dozen attacks on commercial vessels by the Houthis, no serious damage has been reported. In response, the US and Britain have carried out joint military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. In another incident, a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden also experienced a rocket explosion, but no damage was caused. US officials have not confirmed details of the tanker attack, but confirm that the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile at a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden, which was successfully intercepted.

The Houthi group’s attacks in the Gulf of Aden have resulted in the suspension of operations by more than 14 shipping companies in the area. The US and Britain have carried out retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets, leading to further tension and demands for retaliation from the Houthi group.

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