New Delhi: An India-flagged commercial vessel sank off the Yemeni coast Tuesday following a suspected Houthi attack, with all 14 crew members including 13 Indian nationals on board rescued. India strongly condemned the attack on the MSV Faize Noore Oliya in the Red Sea.
“Our Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement late Tuesday.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.”
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in a separate statement highlighted that the vessel was hit by a “projectile near Yemeni waters, causing the vessel to capsize and sink”.
“I have instructed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to take immediate steps in coordination with all agencies to ensure the absolute security of Indian seafarers in the region and provide all necessary assistance to the rescued crew,” added Sonowal.
The 14 seafarers were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha.
While the Indian statement did not identify who was behind the launch of the projectile, the Houthis have in recent days been carrying out attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Iran-aligned Houthis are in control of the Yemeni capital of Sana’a as well as much of the Red Sea coastline, while the internationally recognised government has been operating out of the Port of Aden. For nearly four years, the Houthis and the Yemeni government have maintained a ceasefire.
On 20 July, the Houthis had announced a blockade against Saudi Arabian ships. The militia has been at war against a Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognised government in Yemen for over 12 years.
Saudi Arabia has been involved in Yemen since at least 2015. Riyadh intervened in the civil war, leading a nine-country coalition in striking at the Houthis. However, Riyadh and its allies have been unable to dislodge the group from power in Sana’a.
The Houthis have consistently threatened ships in the Red Sea, especially since October 2023, following Hamas’ attack on Israel. The attack on the India-flagged ship is the latest in a series of strikes against civilian merchant vessels across conflict zones.
A number of civilian merchant vessels have been struck by both Iran and the US in the Strait of Hormuz, while Russia and Ukraine have been conducting strikes against merchant vessels in the Black Sea. The Houthis are the latest to join in the effort, as the situation between the US and Iran continues to remain tense,
The US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in June, which barely held as the two countries continued strikes against one another last month. As the Strait of Hormuz continues to be effectively closed by Iran, Saudi Arabia has been using its access to the Red Sea to continue exporting petroleum products.
The latest attacks in the Red Sea aim to further disrupt global trade. More than 15 Indian sailors have been killed since 28 February, with five being killed in strikes by Russia and Ukraine since 18 July.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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