What happened?

An Israeli-affiliated merchant vessel was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) causing a fire and damage in the Arabian Sea off the coast of India. The Liberian-flagged chemical products tanker was able to extinguish the fire with no crew casualties reported.

Why it matters?

This incident underscores the ongoing security risks to merchant vessels in the region, particularly those with connections to Israel, which can be subject to targeted attacks from regional adversaries. It brings to the fore the geopolitical conflicts that can extend to commercial maritime activities and international waters.

The details

The attack took place approximately 200 kilometers southwest of Veraval, India. According to the British maritime security firm Ambrey, the vessel sustained structural damage, and water entered it, but the fire was successfully put out. The vessel was en route from Saudi Arabia to India. The Indian navy was informed and is responding to the situation, although they have not yet released a statement regarding the attack.

Context

This incident follows a series of attacks on merchant vessels attributed to the Iran-aligned Houthi group, which have targeted maritime traffic as part of the broader conflict involving Israel and Gaza. Iranian officials have threatened to close the Mediterranean Sea and other strategic waterways in response to what they deem as crimes by the United States and its allies in Gaza, imposing potential risks to international maritime trade routes.

What’s next?

The security of shipping lanes remains a high priority for regional powers and international stakeholders. With tensions high in the region, additional security measures and potential diplomatic interventions may be necessary to safeguard maritime traffic against further hostilities.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.