Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists struck an oil tanker near the Arabian Peninsula on Friday as President Joe Biden refuses to take adequate military action to stop the group from conducting routine attacks that are disrupting global trade in the region.
“On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (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,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “The ship issued a distress call and reported damage.”
“USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance,” the statement continued. “No injuries have been reported at this time.”
Purported images of the ship that circulated online showed fire-crews trying to extinguish a blaze that was on the deck of the ship.
Trafigura, the firm operating the ship, said the vessel was carrying “Russian naphtha purchased below the price cap in line with G7 sanctions,” Reuters reported.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that the incident happened approximately 60 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen.
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“A Merchant Vessel has been struck by a missile and remains on fire,” UKMTO said. “Coalition Warships are in attendance and supporting the vessel. All crew are reported safe.”
During the early morning hours on Saturday, CENTCOM said that it conducted a self-defense strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile.
“On 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,” CENTCOM said. “U.S. Forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.”
“U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense,” the statement continued. “This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.”