Another attack on Indian ship: Indian-flagged crude oil tanker hit by attack drone in Red Sea
Another attack on Indian ship: A day after Iranian drone attack hit chemical tanker in Indian Ocean, another attack on Indian ship reported today from Red Sea.
An Indian-flagged crude oil tanker reported to be hit by attack drone fired by two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, US military stated.
the US Central Command took to their X handle (former Twitter) and stated that The Gabon-owned tanker MV Saibaba reported no injuries or damage in this incident.
These attacks represent the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17.
On December 23 two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles.
Between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG… pic.twitter.com/jcBisbXBaS — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 24, 2023
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea that they were under attack. 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.
A second vessel, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported that it was hit by a one-way attack drone with no injuries reported. The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the distress calls from these attacks.
The US and other naval forces operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, but the new task force is expected to ramp up security.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, with the two leaders sharing concerns over the safety of maritime traffic.
PM Modi reiterated the need for continued humanitarian aid for the affected people and further stressed an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict, including the release of all hostages, through dialogue and diplomacy.
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