Britain and its allies have stated that they maintain the right to respond accordingly following a missile strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, which has been claimed by Houthi rebels.
The Marlin Luanda caught fire following an assault near the shores of Yemen on Friday. This incident occurred just days after the recent US-UK military operation against the Iran-backed group. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported at this time.
Military ships were on their way to provide assistance on Friday, as Trafigura, a multinational company, emphasized that the safety of the crew on board the vessel is their topmost concern.
According to a government spokesperson, it has been emphasized that any acts of aggression towards commercial shipping are entirely unacceptable, and both the UK and its allies retain the right to respond in a fitting manner.
After an earlier incident, two missiles reportedly detonated in the water, resulting in no reported damage to the vessel or crew, and ensuring their safety.
Yemen’s Houthis have declared responsibility for conducting a naval operation in the Gulf of Aden, targeting what they have identified as a British oil tanker. According to Yahya Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, the operation involved the use of several precise naval missiles, resulting in a direct strike on the vessel.
The Marlin Luanda, according to shipping data, is registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately
A spokesperson from the UK Government stated that…
The Houthis have been launching attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since November in response to Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, it is concerning that they have often targeted ships that have little to no connection to Israel, putting global trade at risk on this crucial shipping route.
In addition to carrying out numerous airstrikes targeting Houthi objectives, both the UK and US have implemented sanctions against influential individuals within the militant group.
Despite the second series of airstrikes conducted by the UK and US at the beginning of the week, it seems that the Houthi action remains undeterred.
According to a statement from a spokesperson at Trafigura, the Marlin Luanda, a tanker vessel that operates on behalf of the company, was hit by a missile while passing through the Red Sea on January 26th.
Our top priority is the safety of the crew as we work to suppress and control the fire in one cargo tank on the starboard side. We are deploying firefighting equipment onboard to effectively manage the situation.
“We are staying in touch with the vessel and closely monitoring the situation. Military ships in the area are on their way to offer assistance.”
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is currently concluding his trip to the Middle East, where he has been engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at mitigating the escalating tensions amidst the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza.