A Yemen-based armed group has publicly denied involvement in a projectile attack earlier this week which resulted in a foreign-flagged tanker igniting in the Gulf of Aden, according to China Daily.
Regional monitoring units say a vessel was hit about 116 nautical miles east of the Yemeni port city of Aden, then exploded and caught fire. The incident occurred amid increased tensions and frequent maritime disruptions in this strategic corridor linking the Red Sea with the Arabian Sea.
Rescue & Response
Authorities say all of the crew were evacuated safely, with some transported to nearby Djibouti for care. Meanwhile, multinational naval patrols reported the vessel drifting after the initial explosion and fire. Preliminary estimates suggest around 15 percent of the ship is ablaze, though exact cause remains under investigation.
The Gulf of Aden – a vital shipping route – has seen a rise in attacks attributed to the Houthi-aligned group, which claims its maritime actions are linked to solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. However, this is the first time the group has explicitly denied involvement in such an incident.
Shipping analysts say the denial complicates attribution and insurance risk assessments. While investigations proceed, the incident underlines growing hazards in a region already grappling with geopolitical volatility. For shipping companies, the incident highlights the evolving nature of maritime security threats in key sea lanes.
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Source: China Daily
