What to Know:
The British oil tanker Marlin Luanda has resumed its voyage after it was struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile, which caused an onboard fire and triggered incident response by nearby international naval vessels.
The Strike:
According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), on January 26 at approximately 1945 Sanaa time, Iran-backed Houthi forces fired an anti-ship ballistic missile and struck the Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged, British-owned oil tanker that was being chartered by Trafigura at the time of the attack.
“The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time,” CENTCOM added.
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The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike, which they said was “In vindication of the oppressed Palestinian people and in support and solidarity with our brothers in the Gaza Strip, and within the response to the American-British aggression against our country.”
Per usual, the statement included messaging that Houthi forces will not stop “enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian seas until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, and food and medicine are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.”
“The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that they are taking all military procedures within the right to defend dear Yemen and in confirmation of the continuas practical solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the statement concluded.
Ship Damage and Response:
Hours after the strike, officials told ABC that the Marlin Luanda’s crew was initially forced to abandon ship due to what was described as an uncontrolled fire that had broken out from to the strike.
An unconfirmed photo is circulating reportedly from the Marlin Luanda. There is no matches on reserve searches that I can find currently. Characteristics of the deck appear to match that of the vessel but it’s not 100% conclusive. I’m sure in the coming days we’ll know. pic.twitter.com/TwMBzWIOrB
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) January 27, 2024
At this time, the Indian Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, French Aquitaine-class frigate FN Alsace, and the American Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney arrived on scene to provide assistance and help with firefighting efforts.
Trafigura released a statement saying that “all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished. The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbour. The crew continues to monitor the vessel and cargo closely.”
Fire onboard MV #MarlinLuanda brought under control
Based on request from Master of the MV, the fire fighting team from #INSVisakhapatnam comprising 10 Indian Naval personnel with specialist fire fighting equipment embarked the vessel in early hours of #27Jan 24.
After six… https://t.co/d5yxgWI42Y pic.twitter.com/RsLPKOpXTU— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024
“We would like to recognise the exceptional dedication and bravery of the ship’s master and crew who managed to control the fire in highly difficult circumstances, as well as the essential assistance provided by Indian, United States and French Navy vessels to achieve this outcome.”
“No further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden and we continue to assess carefully the risks involved in any voyage, including in respect of security and safety of the crew, together with shipowners and customers,” the statement concluded.
Response:
Following the attack on the tanker, CENTCOM reported that strikes were carried out against Houthi forces in Yemen on January 27 at approximately 0345 Sanaa time.
U.S. Conducts Self-Defense Strike Against Houthi Anti-Ship Missile
On Jan. 27 at approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces… pic.twitter.com/UcHqDiyT1I
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024
CENTCOM stated that strikes targeted “a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense.”
“This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.”
