Houthis claim Saudi forces targeted yacht carrying 14 Indians in Red Sea; India seeks details

AP: India said on Thursday it was gathering details of an incident involving 14 Indian nationals aboard a yacht off the coast of Yemen, and assured all possible assistance to ensure their safety and well-being, Moneycontrol reported.

The statement came after Yemen's Houthi forces claimed that Saudi Arabia had targeted the yacht near Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea, prompting them to launch a rescue operation.

"We have seen reports regarding an incident involving 14 Indian nationals on board a yacht off the coast of Yemen today. We are ascertaining further details about the incident and will provide all possible help for ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals," the Embassy of India in Yemen said in a post on X.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree alleged that Saudi forces had targeted the vessel carrying the 14 Indians. Citing preliminary information, he said Yemeni forces were attempting to rescue those on board and would provide further details as they became available.

The incident came a day after an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, killed two people, including an Indian national. Two other Indian nationals were injured, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

India has also condemned attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the strikes on King Fahd International Airport and Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21.

"We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21. These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

New Delhi also expressed hope for an early restoration of peace and normalcy in the region. Yemen's Houthi forces have separately accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out air and missile strikes across several Yemeni provinces this week.