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Drone Attack Targets Israel-Affiliated Merchant Ship Off India's Coast

by VOA News

   A drone strike Saturday off the west coast of India hit an
   Israel-affiliated merchant ship, according to Ambrey, the British
   maritime security firm.

   Ambrey said there was a fire on board the Liberia-flagged chemical
   products tanker that was traveling from Saudi Arabia to India. There
   were no casualties.

   An Indian Navy official told Reuters it responded to a request for
   assistance on Saturday morning.

   "The safety of crew and ship has been ascertained. The navy has also
   dispatched a warship to arrive in the area and provide assistance as
   required," the official said, declining to be named because he was not
   authorized to discuss the incident.

   The incident follows a flurry of drone and missile attacks by
   Iran-backed Houthis on ships in the Red Sea since the October 7 Hamas
   terror attack on Israel. The Houthis say they are supporting
   Palestinians.

   The attacks have resulted in some companies rerouting their vessels
   around the southern tip of Africa, a longer and more expensive route.

   There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday's incident.

   Some information from Reuters was used in this report.