Iran-backed rebels torch British tanker in vengeful strike – emergency boats on standby as flames engulf the gulf of Aden
In a harrowing incident at sea, the ‘British’ oil tanker Marlin Luanda fell victim to a targeted strike by Iran-backed Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen. The chilling attack, claimed by the rebels as an act of revenge, set the vessel ablaze in the volatile Gulf of Aden.
Yahya Sarea, a Brigadier General of the Yemeni Armed Forces, revealed that the rebels deployed “a number of appropriate naval missiles” in the devastating assault on the purportedly British ship. The strike, executed with an anti-ship ballistic missile, resulted in the immediate ignition of the vessel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) swiftly responded, reporting the incident approximately 60 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The UKMTO conveyed that the vessel, now engulfed in flames, urgently requires assistance, with emergency boats standing by to combat the fire.
No injuries have been reported in the aftermath of this unsettling attack. However, ships navigating the region have been put on high alert as the UKTMO issued a cautionary advisory, urging vessels to transit with care and report any suspicious activity.
A spokesperson for the ship’s owner, Trafigura, with offices in Britain, stated, “Firefighting equipment on board is being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side.” The Marlin Luanda was reportedly en route to Singapore when the incident occurred.
This targeted strike comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with Houthi rebels retaliating against cargo ships in the Red Sea, responding to Israel’s continuous bombardment of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The recent aerial attacks led by the UK and US on rebel bases further fueled the hostilities.
As geopolitical complexities unfold, the UK has taken measures to bolster its defences, upgrading the Sea Viper surface-to-air missile system to safeguard its ships in the Red Sea. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, addressing Parliament, emphasized the need to halt the illegal arms trade with Houthi militia, vowing to employ effective means to cut off financial flows to the rebels.
The international community remains on high alert as the Red Sea becomes a flashpoint for maritime security. With ongoing hostilities threatening trade routes and endangering lives, the call for unity and strength echoes through political corridors, underscoring the necessity for resolute action against the Houthi rebel
