In this article, we will discuss a mysterious attack on an oil tanker off the Indian coast that is suspected to be connected to Israel. This attack comes as part of a campaign of assaults carried out by the Houthis against ships in the Red Sea. We will also review the damage suffered by the tanker and the economic and security implications of these attacks.
The Attack on the Tanker
The attack on the tanker occurred in the Indian Ocean about 200 nautical miles off the coast of Veraval in the Indian state of Gujarat. The tanker sustained structural damage, and a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The fire was extinguished, and no injuries or fatalities were reported among the 20 crew members.
Main Background
Commercial vessels in the Red Sea have faced dozens of attacks by ballistic missiles and drones in the past month. The Houthi movement in Yemen has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, which they said are in response to the Israeli war in Gaza. The Houthis control a large part of northern Yemen, including the capital Sana’a, and are allied with the Iranian government and the Hamas movement based in Gaza, which attacked southern Israel in October. The attacks primarily target ships linked to Israel. These assaults have slowed trade in the region, leading major shipping companies like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to stop shipping goods through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. BP also halted all oil shipments through the Red Sea on Monday. Swedish furniture stores IKEA and dairy brand Danone, as well as appliance manufacturer Electrolux, have reported shortages and delays in supplies since the attacks began.
Operation to Protect Commercial Vessels
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the “Guardian of Prosperity” operation, a multinational security force aimed at protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. According to Austin, the Houthi attacks threaten “the freedom of trade, endanger innocent seafarers, and violate international law.” The coalition will include forces from the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, as announced by the Department of Defense. Major General Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the coalition force, stated that the coalition will act as a “highway patrol” on shipping lanes in the Red Sea, which the military estimates account for 10-15% of global shipping.
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