Houthis military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on Thursday that their forces had rescued 14 Indian nationals from a yacht allegedly targeted by Saudi Arabia off Zuqar Island, a claim that has yet to be independently verified. The yacht, reportedly carrying 14 crew members of Indian nationality, was under attack in the southern Red Sea, a region already strained by ongoing hostilities between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition.
The Indian embassy in Yemen has said it is investigating the incident and will provide assistance to the 14 nationals, while Saudi authorities report that one Indian national was among the two people killed in an earlier attack on Dammam airport, with two others injured. The embassy’s post on X confirmed it was contacting the affected families and offering prayers for the deceased and the wounded.
In a separate statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the recent Saudi attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, including the strike on King Fahd International Airport, and urged Saudi Arabia to halt such assaults. The ministry reiterated India’s solidarity with the Kingdom and called for an immediate end to the attacks on critical infrastructure.
The Houthi spokesperson said that further details would be shared later as the rescue operation unfolded. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy will coordinate with Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and repatriation of the rescued nationals. The incident has intensified concerns over the security of maritime navigation in the Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade.