Dubai, Oct 13
Airstrikes struck two districts of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, amid renewed regional tensions, while a drone attack on a commercial tanker near the Strait of Hormuz left two Indian sailors missing, according to reports from the Middle East.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels reported that airstrikes hit the Hamdan and Thourah districts of Sanaa around midnight. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks, but Saudi authorities had not immediately responded to the allegation. The circumstances surrounding the strikes remained unclear in the initial reports.
The latest strikes come amid continuing tensions involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. Yemen has endured years of conflict, with rival political and military forces controlling different parts of the country. The Houthis control Sanaa and large areas of northern Yemen, while Saudi Arabia has previously led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Separately, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said two Indian nationals were missing after a drone struck the commercial tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The two were among 11 Indian sailors aboard the vessel, according to the ministry’s statement on Monday.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in waters close to one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a major passage for oil and gas shipments to international markets.
Any attack on commercial vessels in the area can disrupt maritime operations, increase insurance costs and create uncertainty for shipping companies. The presence of Indian crew members has also made the incident a matter of concern for New Delhi, which has consistently stressed the importance of maritime safety and the protection of Indian nationals working aboard international vessels.
Authorities were seeking information about the missing sailors and the circumstances of the attack. The available reports did not establish who was responsible for the drone strike on the tanker.
The developments in Yemen and near the Strait of Hormuz illustrate the multiple security risks facing the wider Middle East, where military confrontations and threats to commercial shipping can have consequences far beyond the immediate areas affected. For India, the safety of seafarers and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies remain key concerns as the situation develops.