Drone Attack on Israel-Linked Ship Near Western Indian Coast

The British maritime security company 'Ambrey' announced on Saturday, December 23, that a commercial ship linked to Israel was targeted by a drone attack 200 kilometers off the western coast of India. According to reports, this drone attack occurred in the Arabian Sea, and the resulting fire on the chemical products tanker did not harm the crew and was successfully contained. Ambrey stated on its official website: 'Some structural damage has also been reported, and some water has entered the ship.' According to the company, the ship, which was linked to Israel, had last contacted Saudi Arabia and was heading to India at the time of the attack. An Indian Navy official told Reuters that the country responded positively to the ship's request for assistance on Saturday morning. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, added: 'The safety of the crew and the ship is assured. The Indian Navy has also dispatched a warship... to the area and is providing the necessary assistance.' This attack follows ongoing drone and missile attacks by Houthi forces supported by the Islamic Republic in the Red Sea. In recent weeks, Houthi fighters have targeted ships passing through the Red Sea, citing support for Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, forcing some vessels to change their routes from the Red Sea to the south of the African continent, circumventing the Cape of Good Hope. Additionally, several major shipping companies have halted the transport of goods and oil through this strait in recent days. Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have also reduced the passage of oil tankers through this area by 40 percent. According to Bloomberg, only 30 oil tankers passed through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait this week, indicating a 40 percent decrease compared to the average passage through this strait in the three weeks prior. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, has previously stated that the Islamic Republic has enabled attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis are a rebel group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran that has taken control of large parts of Yemen after ousting the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, recently announced the formation of a new naval force to protect ships passing through the Red Sea, in collaboration with the U.S. and several other countries, aimed at countering Houthi attacks. The Wall Street Journal reported that an Iranian spy ship is assisting Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. More than 20 countries have joined the U.S. coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea. Greece has dispatched a frigate to the Red Sea; the European Union Navy is joining the 'Guardian of Prosperity' operation. Ongoing tensions and insecurity in the Red Sea have led to a 'slight increase' in oil prices. The increased military presence of the West in the Red Sea has prompted the Houthi leader to threaten U.S. warships. The U.S. and its allies have warned other countries not to encourage the Houthis in their attacks on ships. A security company reported an 'unsuccessful attempt' to hijack a ship off the coast of Yemen. Britain and Italy have joined the U.S.-led international operation to counter Houthi attacks.