UKMTO reports ship evacuated after YAF operation sparked fire
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has announced that a merchant vessel's crew had been safely evacuated following a fire that caused the ship to start sinking.
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A general view shows the port of Yemen’s southern city of Aden. (AFP)
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Saturday that the crew of a merchant vessel had been evacuated after the ship caught fire and began sinking. This incident occurred 98 nautical miles east of Yemen’s Aden on June 13.
Earlier today, the USCENTCOM said in a statement that a vessel targeted by the Yemeni Armed Forces earlier this week in the Red Sea was abandoned by its crew and is gradually sinking. It added that one mariner remains missing.
The ship TUTOR was attacked by YAF with several unmanned surface vessels, drones, and ballistic missiles, spokesperson General Yahya Saree announced on Wednesday. This marked the first successful strike on a vessel using sea drones.
CENTCOM added that the sea drones' impact resulted in "severe flooding and damage to the engine room," adding that the vessel's sailors were picked up by the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and partner forces.
Saree stated then that the operation came after the ship's owning company violated the YAF's ban on entry into the ports of occupied Palestine, confirming that the operation resulted in significant damage to the ship, putting it at risk of sinking.
On Thursday, the general announced a series of other operations, including a missile strike targeting the Verbena cargo ship in the Arabian Sea. He said then that the vessel was directly hit, leading to a fire erupting on board.
One marine was wounded due to the operation and was evacuated, CENTCOM reported, adding that the fire was "extinguished" and the ship continued sailing in the Gulf of Aden, without specifying in which direction.
Prior to the operations this week, the United States and Britain launched on Wednesday a joint aggression on Yemen, targeting a governmental facility in the al-Gabin district and a radio station in the Ramyah governorate.
It resulted in the injury of five civilians, including one who was critically injured, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Sanaa reported.
Heavy material damages were also recorded in the targeted buildings.
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