The Marlin Luanda, a tanker that has ties to the UK, was struck by a missile launched by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden. The organization, which is backed by Iran and headquartered in Yemen, claims that the attack was in response to “American-British aggression”. The UK and the US have launched air strikes on Houthi targets in the Red Sea after several attacks on ships in the region.
The tanker is registered with Oceonix Services Ltd, a UK-based firm, and operated on behalf of Trafigura. The multinational trading firm is responsible for the vessel, which flies the flag of the Marshall Islands. A Houthi spokesperson claims that the Marlin Luanda was a British ship targeted in response to American-British aggression against the organization’s homeland. In a statement, the UK government called attacks on commercial shipping “completely unacceptable” and reserved the right to respond accordingly.
The Houthis have targeted dozens of commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea since November, making it one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The organization claims that they are targeting ships in the area to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is currently battling Hamas. French, Indian, and US naval ships aided the Marlin Luanda as it burned in the Gulf of Aden on Friday.
Trafigura confirmed on Saturday that all crew members were unharmed and that the fire in one of the tanker’s cargo tanks had been extinguished. The vessel is now sailing toward a safe harbor. US Central Command also stated on Saturday that its forces attacked a Houthi anti-ship missile that was poised to launch in the Red Sea and halted the launch preparations
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