Tanker Ablaze Near Yemen After Suspected Houthi Attack, Global Shipping on Edge

A Cameroon-flagged tanker was engulfed in flames in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 210 kilometers east of Aden, Yemen, after being hit by an unidentified projectile, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. The maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel, en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti, issued distress signals indicating the crew’s preparation to abandon ship, prompting an ongoing search-and-rescue operation. While Yemen’s Houthi rebels have not yet claimed responsibility, their history of targeting Red Sea shipping raises suspicions, though such claims often surface hours or days later.

The attack occurs against the backdrop of the Houthis’ sustained campaign against maritime traffic, which intensified during the Israel-Hamas conflict to pressure Israel but persisted despite a ceasefire on October 10, 2025. The rebels’ actions have disrupted the Red Sea corridor, a vital route for $1 trillion in annual global trade, sinking four ships and killing at least nine mariners since late 2023. Their most recent confirmed assault, on September 29, 2025, targeted the Dutch-flagged Minervagracht, resulting in one crew member’s death and another’s injury, underscoring the persistent threat to international shipping.

Beyond maritime attacks, the Houthis have escalated regional tensions by threatening Saudi Arabia and detaining dozens of UN and aid workers, baselessly accusing them of espionage—a claim refuted by global organizations. This latest incident, occurring 110 kilometers south of Yemen’s Ahwar region, amplifies concerns about the security of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where rerouting ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope has already driven up global shipping costs. The Houthis’ actions continue to destabilize a critical trade artery, impacting economies worldwide.

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As investigations into the attack continue, the international community faces renewed pressure to address the Houthi threat, potentially linked to Iranian support, through enhanced naval patrols or diplomatic measures. The tanker’s plight highlights the precarious state of maritime safety in the region, urging stakeholders to prioritize de-escalation to safeguard lives and stabilize global trade routes amidst Yemen’s volatile conflict landscape.

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