Houthi Attack: Indian Navy rescues Bangladeshi sailor on stricken oil tanker

DE Online Desk
The vessel, identified as the Marlin Luanda oil tanker, caught fire following the assault on the evening of January 26.
The Indian Navy swiftly mobilized, with an anti-missile warship, INS Visakhapatnam, responding to the distress call and initiating efforts to extinguish the ongoing fire.
According to NDTV’s coverage on January 27, the Indian Navy released a statement reaffirming its strong commitment to ensuring the safety of seafarers and commercial ships at sea.
The situation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea has become precarious due to the Israeli aggression in Gaza, resulting in heightened risks for commercial shipping.
Houthi rebels, as part of their protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinians, have been actively targeting ships associated with Israel and Western nations in the region. Despite the Red Sea military coalition, led by the Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, was the latest victim of a Houthi missile strike, with the vessel still engulfed in flames. Notably, a similar drone attack occurred on a different commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on January 18, involving Indian sailors.
In that instance, the INS Visakhapatnam promptly responded to the distress call, showcasing the Indian Navy’s dedication to securing the safety of maritime activities in the region. The broader instability in the Middle East further underscores the challenges faced by commercial shipping in these critical waterways.—BBC