Xinhua News Agency, London, December 23 (Reporter Du Juan) Reuters reported on the 23rd, citing the British maritime security company Ambury Company, that a merchant ship linked to Israel was hit by a drone in the Arabian Sea off the west coast of India on the same day.
The Liberian-flagged, chemical-laden merchant ship reportedly made its last call in Saudi Arabia, where its destination was India.
The British Office of Maritime Operations confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and no one was killed after the merchant ship was attacked by a drone in the waters southwest of Wilavol, India. The office said the investigation was ongoing and nearby vessels were advised to navigate with caution.
According to India's Business Banner newspaper, there were 20 Indian crew members and one Vietnamese crew member on the merchant ship. The Indian Coast Guard has sent vessels to the area where the incident occurred to verify and asked nearby vessels to provide assistance to merchant vessels.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Since the outbreak of the new Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked targets in the Red Sea waters using missiles and drones. The Houthis said that all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies, or flying the Israeli flag, would be "legitimate targets" for the group's attacks. The Houthis will continue to obstruct the navigation of "Israeli vessels" in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until Israel ceases its military operations in the Gaza Strip. (Participating reporter: Chen Jian) (end).