Responding to a distress call, the Indian Navy has deployed its guided-missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to assist the British oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda after it was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden on Friday night. The ship is carrying 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi crew member.According to official reports, the assault on MV Marlin Luanda came around 7:45 PM as the vessel navigated the critical shipping lane. Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, stating they targeted the oil tanker with appropriate naval missiles in a direct strike. While no injuries have been reported so far, the extent of damage to the vessel remains unclear.#IndianNavys 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, 2024Indian Navy sends INS Visakhapatnam to rescueFollowing the distress call, the Indian Navy sprang into action, dispatching INS Visakhapatnam which is equipped with a dedicated NBCD team and firefighting equipment. The fire-fighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel are being augmented by the NBCD team along with firefighting equipment, deployed by INS Visakhapatnam to assist the crew onboard the MV, the Indian Navy clarified via social media, reiterating its unwavering resolve to uphold maritime safety in the turbulent waters of the Gulf of Aden.What did CENTCOM sayAdding to the tension, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the Houthi attack, stating that a ballistic missile hit the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker. The US Navys USS Carney and other coalition ships have joined the Indian Navy in rendering assistance to the stricken vessel.U.S. Conducts Self-Defense Strike Against Houthi Anti-Ship MissileOn Jan. 27 at approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces… pic.twitter.com/UcHqDiyT1I— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024The US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on X, On January 26, at approximately 7:45 pm (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. It added, The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time.As per the latest reports, crews have managed to extinguish the fire on board on Saturday, commodities trader Trafigura said. In a statement, Trafigura said, All crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished. The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbour. When did Houtis start to target the shipsThe attack denotes the latest escalation in a string of drone and pirate attacks targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have increasingly targeted commercial shipping since October 2023, expressing their support for Hamas during the Israel-Hamas conflict. This has led to several shipping companies suspending operations in the Red Sea. It also forced mariners to take longer detours around the southern tip of Africa.The unfolding situation aboard MV Marlin Luanda and the Indian Navys prompt response highlights the ever-present dangers for vessels navigating the turbulent waters of the Gulf of Aden. As international efforts converge to assist the distressed tanker and ensure the safety of its crew, the incident raises further concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region.
