A yacht carrying 14 Indian nationals was allegedly targeted by Saudi Arabia near Yemen's Zuqar Island, according to Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier Yahya Saree. Saree claimed that Yemeni forces successfully rescued all individuals on board the vessel.
The Houthi spokesperson, representing the Houthi-aligned Yemeni Armed Forces, posted on social media that the "Saudi enemy is targeting an Indian yacht near Zuqar Island, carrying 14 people of Indian nationality according to preliminary information." He further asserted that this "reckless act by the Saudi enemy in targeting it threatens international navigation in the Red Sea," urging the international community to intervene.
The precise circumstances of the reported incident, including the condition of the 14 Indian nationals and the exact nature of the alleged targeting, remain unclear.
Escalating Regional Incidents Affecting Indians
This alleged yacht incident occurs amidst a series of attacks on critical infrastructure within Saudi Arabia that have impacted Indian nationals.
Dammam Airport Attack
An earlier attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam resulted in the death of one Indian national and injuries to two others. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the casualties, though Saudi authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the assault.
Shaybah Oilfield Incident
Another Indian national sustained injuries in an attack targeting Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy reported that air defenses intercepted a drone attempting to strike the facility. Falling shrapnel from the interception tragically killed two residents, a Filipino and a Nepali national, and injured two others, including the Indian national and a Pakistani citizen. Operations at the oilfield were reportedly unaffected.
Earlier in the month, an Indian national was also killed, and several others were injured, in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
India Condemns Attacks, Issues Advisory
India has strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing its condemnation of the attacks on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised its approximately 2.74 million nationals residing in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, adhere to instructions from local authorities, and seek shelter indoors during any aerial attacks. Furthermore, the embassy warned against filming or sharing images and videos of drone or missile interceptions and their impact sites, citing potential legal consequences under Saudi law.