Tel Aviv: The Indian Navy has joined other naval forces in an attempt to stop the attacks performed by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, one of the Iranian proxies in the region. One attack on a cargo ship was launched from Iranian territory.
According to Iran international, the London based website operated by the opposition to the Iranian regime, following a recent drone attack launched from Iran on a merchant vessel off the Indian coast, Indian Navy will deploy guided missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea.
On December 23, MV Chem Pluto, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker had been targeted by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran”, raising alerts in the region which has become a flashpoint since Iran-backed Houthis announced they would attack all vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding area.
According to the website, the Yemenis’ announcement was made in the wake of the Gaza war, the Iran-backed Yemeni proxy aligning with Hamas in the wake of its war on Israel. Responding to the latest incident so close to its shores, the Indian Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers, including INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata.
The MV Chem Pluto, arrived in Mumbai on Monday, December 25 prompting an ongoing investigation by the Indian Navy. Preliminary findings point to a drone attack , and the navy has highlighted the need for further forensic and technical analysis to determine specific details, such as the type and quantity of explosive used.
The website says that a collaborative investigation into the attack is currently underway, involving various agencies, subsequent to the comprehensive analysis conducted by the navy’s explosive ordnance team. The vessel’s crew consisted of 21 Indians and one Vietnamese citizen.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
