A tanker caught fire off the coast of Yemen after a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden, forcing the crew to abandon ship

A major maritime accident occurred on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen. According to British military officials, a ship was struck by an unidentified missile, causing it to catch fire. The ship’s crew was reportedly preparing to abandon the vessel. This incident occurred at a time when Yemen’s Houthi rebels are continuously attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) confirmed the attack. The centre stated that the incident occurred approximately 210 kilometers east of Aden. The ship was struck by an unidentified missile, causing it to catch fire. Officials said the incident is ongoing. It is currently unclear who is responsible for the attack.

Information about the ship and its situation
The security agency Embraer reported that the ship was a Cameroon-flagged tanker sailing from the Omani port of Sohar to Djibouti. The agency also reported that radio communications indicated the crew was preparing to abandon ship. Meanwhile, a rescue and relief operation has been launched as the fire on the ship is spreading rapidly.

Reference to Houthi Rebels
Houthi rebels have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but they have been carrying out such attacks frequently over the past several months. The Houthi group also carried out missile and drone attacks on several international ships during the Israel-Hamas war. They claim to be using these attacks to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Palestine.

Houthi attacks have severely impacted global trade. Nearly one trillion US dollars worth of goods are transported through the Red Sea each year, but these attacks have forced shipping companies to alter routes. At least nine sailors have been killed and four ships have sunk in the operation. Recently, Houthi rebels attacked the Dutch-flagged ship Minervagracht, killing one sailor.

Rising Tensions and International Concern
Meanwhile, Houthi rebels have also threatened Saudi Arabia and detained staff from several international organizations, including the United Nations. The rebels claim these individuals were spying, although the UN has strongly denied these allegations. This new attack in the Gulf of Aden represents a serious threat not only to Yemen but also to international maritime security.