ADEN, Yemen – An oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden was hit by a missile in an attack by Yemen’s Houthi militants, causing a fire to break out on board, the vessel’s operator said. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks in the crucial shipping route, which is vital for international trade.

The British oil tanker Marlin Luanda sustained damage after being struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. The fire caused by the attack has led to the deployment of firefighting equipment to control the blaze. The Iran-backed militants claimed responsibility for the attack, citing American and British aggression against Yemen and expressing support for the Palestinian people.

The commodities group Trafigura, which operates the ship, is closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, military ships in the region are en route to provide assistance. The USS Carney, a guided missile destroyer, is among the coalition ships rendering aid to the damaged oil tanker.

Both the US and UK have been conducting airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, following warnings that the group would face consequences for its attacks in the international shipping lane. The attacks have led to the suspension of transit through the important maritime trade route, forcing some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to take longer routes to avoid the area.

The conflict in Yemen, between Houthi forces and a Saudi-backed coalition, has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, characterized by famine, economic turmoil, and extreme poverty. The conflict, which began with the Houthi takeover of the capital Sanaa in 2014, has since escalated into a wider war, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to control the fire on the oil tanker and provide assistance to those affected. The repercussions of this attack on the international shipping industry and the broader implications for the conflict in Yemen continue to unfold.