An oil tanker is on hearth within the Red Sea after a missile assault by Houthi fighters.

In a press release, the ship's proprietor Trafigura, which has workplaces in Britain, mentioned firefighting tools on board was being deployed to regulate the flames and the protection of the crew is its "foremost priority".

A spokesperson for the commodities large, mentioned: "Earlier on 26 January, the Marlin Luanda, a petroleum products tanker vessel operated on behalf of Trafigura, was struck by a missile as it transited the Red Sea.

Middle East latest: ICJ ruling a 'major blow' to Israel

"Firefighting tools on board is being deployed to suppress and management the hearth brought on in a single cargo tank on the starboard facet.

"The safety of the crew is our foremost priority.

"We stay involved with the vessel and are monitoring the scenario fastidiously. Military ships within the area are underway to offer help."

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident 60 nautical miles south-east of Aden on Friday.

A press release from Brigadier General Yahya Saree of the Yemeni Armed Forces, mentioned: "In vindication of the oppressed Palestinian folks and in assist and solidarity with our brothers within the Gaza Strip, and inside the response to the American-British aggression in opposition to our nation Yemeni naval forces carried out a concentrating on operation on the British oil ship (MARLIN LUANDA) In the Gulf of Aden.

"Using a number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct, and resulted the burning of the vessel.

"Yemeni Armed Forces stick with their army operations: imposing a blockade on Israeli navigation within the Red and Arabian seas till a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, and meals and medication are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian folks within the Gaza Strip."

Shipping data suggests the vessel sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

UKMTO said authorities have been informed and are responding to the latest strike, warning other vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.

The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, endangering shipping on a key route for global trade.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Alongside quite a few air strikes on key Houthi targets, the UK and US are additionally concentrating on key figures within the Iran-backed militant group with sanctions.

A second sequence of UK and US air strikes, carried out firstly of the week, seems to have finished little to discourage Houthi motion.

Content Source: information.sky.com