Houthi rebels targeted British oil tanker, Indian Navy deployed ‘destroyer’ in Gulf of Aden for help

The Indian Navy on Saturday (January 27) said it has deployed its guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam in the Gulf of Aden in response to receiving a distress call (distress signal) from the British oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda on the night of January 26. There are 22 Indian and one Bangladeshi crew members on board the tanker Marlin Luanda.

What did the Indian Navy say?

The Indian Navy, while sharing some pictures from its official handle on the social media platform Answered.

Committed to the safety of life at sea – Navy

“Fire fighting efforts are being augmented by the NBCD team with fire fighting equipment on board the distressed merchant ship,” the post said. Help has been provided from INS Visakhapatnam to assist the crew on MV. The MV has a crew of 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi. The post also said, “The Indian Navy is firm and committed to ensuring the safety of the MV and the safety of life at sea.”

#IndianNavy‘s Guided missile destroyer, #INSVisakhapatnam, deployed in the #GulfofAden responded to a distress call from MV #MarlinLuanda on the night of #26Jan 24.
The fire fighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel is being augmented by the NBCD team along with… pic.twitter.com/meocASF2Lo

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024

Houthi rebels took responsibility for the attack

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken responsibility for the attack on the oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda. According to The Guardian, Houthi rebels have claimed that their naval forces had conducted an operation targeting a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sariya said in a statement that “appropriate naval missiles were used and the attack was direct.” At the same time, America has also confirmed the attack by Houthis on MV Marlin Luanda.

India increased surveillance in disturbed area

This is the latest incident in a series of attacks by drones and pirates on merchant ships in the region, including parts of the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has significantly increased surveillance in the troubled region in the wake of recent attacks on India-bound merchant ships and has deployed task groups comprising about 10 warships.