A ship linked to Israeli interests was damaged in the Indian Ocean in an alleged Iranian drone attack that occurred hours before the start of the truce agreed between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, a US military official reported today.
“We are aware of information about an alleged attack with a Shahed 136 type drone, promoted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran, which hit a civilian ship in the Indian Ocean,” the official told the AFP news agency.
According to him, the attack occurred on Friday, before the start of the truce for the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip, and the ship suffered “minor damage”, but there were no injuries.
The maritime security company Ambrey indicated that the Maltese-flagged container ship was damaged after the drone exploded near it.
“The vessel was operated by a company related to Israel (…), which would explain why it was targeted,” Ambrey added.
According to the same source, before the attack, radio transmissions were interrupted shortly after the ship’s departure from the port of Jebel Ali, under the jurisdiction of Dubai, in the Gulf.
The attack follows threats made by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, to Israeli ships or ships belonging to Israel’s allies transiting the Red Sea.
These rebels announced last Sunday the seizure in the Red Sea of a cargo ship with 25 crew members, related to Israeli interests, in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have also launched several drones and missiles into Israeli territory.
Source: Ambito
