In brief
Off the coast of Yemen, the Indian-flagged MSV Faize Noore Oliya was struck by a projectile, capsizing and sinking. All 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, were safely rescued by Indian officials. Officials condemned the “unprovoked attack” and highlighted the unclear identity of the assailant. Yemen’s Houthi fighters are suspected, fitting a pattern of escalating threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The incident underscores rising maritime security risks amid regional tensions and the broader debate over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
A projectile hit the Indian‑flagged cargo ship MSV Faize Noore Oliya off the Yemen coast on Thursday, forcing it to capsize and sink. All 14 crew members, 13 of whom were Indian nationals, were rescued by Indian authorities and brought to safety. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack as “unprovoked” and vowed to take steps to secure maritime routes in the region.
The assailant has yet to be identified; Yemen’s transport ministry says Houthi‑backed forces, known for attacks on Saudi tankers, may have struck the ship with a boat loaded with explosives. The incident comes after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in February, forcing many vessels to use alternative routes through the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks have increased.
India’s external affairs ministry called the attacks on commercial shipping “deeply worrisome” and urged that free and unimpeded navigation be restored. The incident adds to a growing list of Red Sea vessel incidents following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The region remains volatile, with international oil markets closely watching any developments that could reopen the historic Stone Strait.
