Indian Navy Confirms Safety of Crew Members on Gabon-Flagged Tanker Hit by Houthi Drone

Indian Navy Confirms Safety of Crew Members on Gabon-Flagged Tanker Hit by Houthi Drone

VoM News Desk | December 24, 2023 | 11:55 AM IST | Breaking News, Crime, World | Follow on Google News

Indian Navy Confirms Safety of Crew Members on Gabon-Flagged Tanker Hit by Houthi Drone/ANI

Indian Navy Confirms Safety of Crew Members on Gabon-Flagged Tanker Hit by Houthi Drone

The Indian Navy has confirmed that all 25 Indian crew members on board the Gabon-flagged crude oil tanker MV Saibaba, which was hit by a one-way attack drone fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, are safe.

The US Central Command had earlier claimed that one of the two warships that came under fire from Houthis was India-flagged, but the Indian Navy clarified that it was a Gabon-flagged vessel. The incident marks the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17.

The US military reported that the M/V Saibaba was hit by a drone fired by Houthi rebels, but no injuries were reported. Another ship, the M/V Blaamanen, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss of a Houthi one-way attack drone with no injuries or damage reported.

The US military shot down four drones headed towards a US destroyer in the southern Red Sea and intercepted and shot down unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to the USS LABOON. The USS LABOON was patrolling the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.

The attacks pose a threat to the safety and security of international maritime traffic, with the US Central Command underscoring the gravity of the situation. India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard were promptly mobilized to provide assistance following the drone strike on the MV Saibaba.

The incident comes amid growing regional tensions after a series of attacks on ships linked to Israel and its allies following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel1.

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