Houthi rebels hit an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, escalating the Red Sea conflict between Western trading players and the Yemen-based militant group. The attack was then followed by an increase in oil prices.
Trafigura, a global commodity trading company, confirmed to the Washington Examiner that one of its petroleum tankers, the Marlin Luanda, was struck by a missile in the gulf after transiting the Red Sea. The attack caused a fire on the starboard side of the cargo tank.
“The safety of the crew is our foremost priority. We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully,” a Trafigura spokesperson said in a written statement. “Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance.”
Crude oil prices for West Texas Intermediate increased by over $2, climbing from $76.16 at 12:23 p.m. CDT to $78.18 at 5:56 p.m. CDT. Brent crude also increased by similar amounts around the same time, hitting an $83.79 high by 6 p.m. CDT.
The attack on the Trafigura tanker was the latest attempt by the rebel group to target Western commercial vessels in protest of Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the incident occurred around 70 miles southeast of Aden, Yemen.
This latest attack will likely raise questions about the future of shipping within the Red Sea. The U.S. and U.K. have launched airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. However, Friday’s incident indicates that efforts from Western powers to deter the attacks aren’t working — although U.S. defense officials warned that the military actions would take time to be effective.
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“Deterrence is not a light switch,” U.S. deputy national security adviser Jon Finer told ABC. “We are taking out these stockpiles so they will not be able to conduct as many attacks over time. That will take time to play out.”
The Associated Press also reported that the Houthi rebels launched a missile aimed at a U.S. warship, the destroyer USS Carney, along with a British vessel.
