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Red Sea security concerns grow as Yemen's Houthi rebels make claims about a vessel carrying Indian nationals. (Images: X)
Yemen/Riyadh: Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed that a boat carrying 14 Indian nationals near Zuqar Island in the Red Sea was targeted by Saudi Arabia, adding a new flashpoint to escalating tensions across the Middle East. The group said Yemeni forces had rescued the Indians, although independent confirmation of the incident and the passengers' status was not provided in the supplied reports.
According to CGTN Europe, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of targeting the vessel and described the alleged incident as a threat to maritime security. The group said further information would be released later.
The Houthis have alleged that a boat carrying 14 Indian nationals had come under attack near Zuqar Island in the Red Sea. They claimed that Yemeni armed forces rescued those aboard and promised additional details. The group also accused Saudi Arabia of endangering international shipping and called on the international community to intervene. The allegation has not been independently verified in the information provided. Details about the vessel, the circumstances of the reported targeting and the condition of the Indian nationals remain unclear.
The latest claim comes a day after an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, reportedly killed one Indian national and injured two others. Another Indian citizen was injured in an incident at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field. India strongly condemned the attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia on October 21.
In its statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over the loss of civilian life and injuries, condemning the continued attacks on the airport and the oil facility in the kingdom's Eastern Province. The incidents have raised fresh concerns about the safety of Indian nationals working and travelling in the region as the security situation deteriorates.
Separately, Yemen's defence ministry has warned that rallies supporting the Houthi rebels in areas under their control could be treated as legitimate military targets. The warning has added to concerns about civilian safety, particularly as political tensions and military threats spread across different parts of the region.
The situation remains complex with competing claims from parties involved in the conflict and uncertainty over the potential consequences for civilians.
Meanwhile, Iran's state television reported that seven oil tankers were damaged or caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz overnight on Thursday. The vessels were reportedly either targeted or struck naval mines, although the precise circumstances require independent verification.
If confirmed, the incident would represent an unusually high number of vessels affected in a single day since the Iran war began on February 28, according to the supplied report. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important energy shipping routes. Any disruption there could have consequences for oil transportation, shipping costs and global energy markets.
The reported incident involving Indian nationals, the attacks on Saudi infrastructure and the tanker damage claims point to growing uncertainty over maritime security and civilian safety across the Middle East. For India, the developments are particularly significant because Indian citizens work across the Gulf region and the country's energy interests depend heavily on stable shipping routes.
However, several key details remain unconfirmed, including the circumstances surrounding the reported boat incident near Zuqar Island and the claims regarding the damaged tankers. Further verified information from the relevant authorities will be crucial in establishing what happened and determining the implications for Indian nationals and commercial shipping in the region.
