Title: Oil Tanker in Gulf of Aden Catches Fire After Missile Attack by Yemen’s Houthi Militants
In a recent incident in the Gulf of Aden, an oil tanker was hit by a missile attack launched by Yemen’s Houthi militants. The British oil tanker Marlin Luanda was transiting the Red Sea when it was struck, resulting in a fire in one of its cargo tanks. It is believed that the attack was a response to what the militants have called “American-British aggression” and an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The commodities group Trafigura, the operator of the ship, is closely monitoring the situation. Military vessels have been dispatched to provide assistance. The US Central Command has confirmed that the ship issued a distress call and reported damage following the missile attack. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, and the USS Carney, along with other coalition ships, is rendering aid.
NASA’s FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) detected a persisting fire in the vicinity of the Marlin Luanda’s last known location in the Gulf of Aden. This latest attack comes after the USS Carney previously intercepted a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile targeting a US warship, without causing any casualties.
The US and UK have been involved in strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen and have warned of consequences for attacks in this crucial international shipping lane. The Houthi rebels have made it clear that they will continue their offensive until the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza comes to an end.
As a result of these attacks, transit through the Gulf of Aden has been temporarily suspended, forcing shipping and oil companies to take longer routes around Africa. This disruption has caused delays and additional costs for these companies.
Intelligence officials in the US believe that Iran is supporting proxy groups, encouraging them to target Israeli and American interests indirectly without directly confronting Iran itself.
Meanwhile, within Yemen, the ongoing conflict between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed coalition has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis. The country is facing famine, economic turmoil, and extreme poverty. Tragically, up to 377,000 people have lost their lives in this conflict, with more than half of the casualties resulting from indirect causes associated with the war.
As this situation continues to unfold, further updates will be provided. The incident serves as a reminder of the volatile security conditions in the region and the tremendous human suffering caused by the ongoing conflicts.
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