US Middle East Military Command (CENTCOM) launched strikes early Sunday targeting a Houthi site and destroying its anti-ship missile after an attack on a British oil tanker that caught fire in the Gulf of Aden.
The CENTCOM tweeted that the missile posed an “imminent threat” to US destroyers and “commercial ships in the region”.
The Houthis announced the targeting of a British oil ship in the Gulf of Aden, called Marshall Islands-flagged, Bermuda-owned M/V Marlin Luanda with an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) as part of the response to US and British strikes, and in support of Gaza.
In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Houthi forces will continue attacking ships in the Red Sea until Israel’s “aggression” against Palestinians in Gaza stops.
The USS Carney (DDG 64), the French Navy Frigate FS Alsace (D656), and the Indian Navy Frigate INS Visakhapatnam (DD66) all entered immediately and backed up the action, supplying essential firefighting material and aid.
Trafigura Group, which operates the Marilyn Luanda that was targeted on Saturday, said no casualties have been reported.
Marlin Luanda is transporting a cargo of Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen mixture meant for commercial use, said CENTCOM.