An oil tanker, the Marlin Luanda, is ablaze in the Gulf of Aden following a missile attack claimed by Houthi rebels.
The incident occurred on Friday evening, and the vessel’s operator, Trafigura, confirmed that the strike ignited a fire in one of the cargo tanks.
Firefighting equipment is being utilized to control the blaze.
US officials informed CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that the tanker was targeted by an anti-ship ballistic missile.
A naval ship is responding to the distress signal, but no injuries have been reported.
The attack is part of a series of incidents by the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and surrounding areas, targeting commercial shipping.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident 60 nautical miles southeast of Aden.
Warships are on the scene, supporting the vessel, with all crew members reported safe.
The UKMTO cautioned other vessels to transit cautiously and report any suspicious activity.
The US Central Command later announced a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile, destroying it in self-defense.
Trafigura emphasized the safety of the crew as a top priority and confirmed that military ships were en route to assist.
Houthi military spokesman Yaha Sarea asserted the use of “appropriate naval missiles,” describing the strike as “direct.”
This follows a previous incident on Friday where the UKMTO reported two missiles exploding near a vessel southwest of Aden.
Since November, the Houthis have launched numerous attacks on commercial vessels in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The Red Sea, a vital shipping lane, has witnessed heightened tensions, prompting US and UK air strikes in response.
The Houthis have warned of increased attacks on shipping, leading to sanctions by the US and UK to cut off their financial resources.
The targeted oil tanker is flagged with the Marshall Islands.
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