SANAA: Yemen’s Houthis claimed Friday (Jan 26) a missile strike on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden that set the vessel on fire, the latest attack on international shipping by the Iran-backed rebels.
It came the same day the US military said one of its warships shot down a missile fired at it by the group, which is acting in support of Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.
US and British forces have launched two rounds of joint strikes aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to target vessels transiting the key Red Sea maritime trade route.
Washington has also carried out a series of unilateral air raids, but the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks.
The British oil tanker, the Marlin Luanda, was hit by missiles fired by Yemeni naval forces, said the group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree.
“The strike was direct, and resulted (in) the burning of the vessel,” he added.
Risk monitor Ambrey said a missile strike southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden set a merchant ship on fire.
“At the time of writing, the crew were reported safe,” it added.
In the incident involving the US Navy vessel, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen towards the destroyer USS Carney in the Gulf of Aden, said US Central Command.
“The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported,” CENTCOM said.