In the Southern Red Sea, two vessels, including a crude oil tanker, fell victim to drone attacks orchestrated by Yemen's Houthi rebels, according to Indian Navy officials on Sunday. The Gabon-flagged MV Saibaba, not an India-flagged vessel as previously asserted by the US, bore the brunt of the drone assault. Thankfully, all 25 Indian crew members on board are reported to be safe.
Contrary to earlier claims by the US military, the targeted crude oil tanker did not fly the Indian flag. The vessel carried the flag of Gabon, a fact clarified by the Indian Navy officials in response to the misinformation disseminated by the US.
On the same day, the US Central Command reported that two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched into the international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen. Fortunately, no ships reported any impact from the ballistic missiles.
During the incident, between 3 and 8 pm (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was conducting patrols in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG). The USS LABOON successfully intercepted and neutralized unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were headed towards the USS LABOON. Luckily, no injuries or damages were incurred in this encounter.
Later in the evening, at approximately 8 pm (Sanaa time), distress reports reached US Naval Forces Central Command from two ships in the Southern Red Sea, indicating that they were under attack. The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss with a Houthi one-way attack drone, resulting in no injuries or damages. On the other hand, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, confirmed being hit by a one-way attack drone, with no injuries reported. The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded promptly to the distress calls from these attacks.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the US Central Command underscored that these attacks pose a significant threat to the safety and security of international maritime traffic. The post emphasized that these recent incidents marked the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17.
The surge in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels coincides with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This escalation raises concerns about the broader implications for regional stability and maritime security. The international community closely watches developments in the region as nations evaluate appropriate responses to safeguard maritime interests and ensure the safety of shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea.