This Post Is Recently Updated on Dec 24, 2023 @ 13:08 pm by TBB Desk
A crude oil tanker en route to India, M/V Saibaba, was hit by an attack drone in the Red Sea, an incident attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels by the US military. The Gabon-flagged tanker, which had Indians on board, reported no injuries but sent out a distress call to a nearby US ship, according to the US Central Command. The attack occurred at approximately 10:30 pm (IST) yesterday and followed another attack off the Indian coast, which the US has blamed on Iran.
In the Southern Red Sea, two ships informed a US naval ship that they were under attack. The Norwegian-flagged and owned chemical tanker M/V Blaamanen reported a near miss from a Houthi drone. Meanwhile, the M/V SAIBABA reported being hit by a one-way attack drone, with the USS Laboon responding to the distress calls. Prior to these incidents, the US destroyer USS Laboon had shot down four drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been accused of targeting ships in the Red Sea, particularly those linked to Israel, in solidarity with Gaza. These recent incidents mark the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by the Houthi rebels since October 17, as stated by the US military.
The Japanese-owned MV Chem Pluto, which was attacked yesterday, was reportedly targeted by a drone fired from Iran, according to the Pentagon. However, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri has maintained that the Houthi rebels act independently based on their own decisions and capabilities.
This escalation in shipping attacks in the Red Sea comes in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October. Major shipping companies have started rerouting their cargo vessels around the southern tip of Africa, incurring higher fuel costs due to the longer voyages, to avoid the increasingly volatile region.
Key Points
- Drone Attack on India-Bound Tanker: M/V Saibaba hit by a drone in the Red Sea, linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
- No Casualties Reported: The tanker with Indians on board sent a distress call; no injuries reported.
- US Naval Involvement: USS Laboon responded to distress calls; previously shot down drones from Houthi-controlled areas.
- Iran’s Alleged Backing of Houthis: US military implicates Iran in regional shipping attacks, though Iran denies direct involvement.
- Impact on Commercial Shipping: Rising attacks in the Red Sea lead to rerouting of cargo vessels, highlighting regional instability.
