The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly denounced the recent attack on an Indian-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Oman. The incident, which occurred on May 13, involved the Gujarat-owned cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali being struck by a drone or missile-like projectile while en route from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah. The MEA expressed deep concern over the ongoing assaults on commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the region.
The MEA emphasized the unacceptable nature of the attack in an official statement, highlighting the need to safeguard commercial shipping and innocent crew members. Despite the vessel catching fire post-strike, all 14 Indian crew members were safely rescued by teams from the Oman Coast Guard. The Ministry also extended gratitude to Omani authorities for their prompt response in carrying out the rescue operation.
The incident has raised alarms amidst escalating tensions in the region, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety of international maritime routes and commercial vessels in West Asian waters. This event follows a series of heightened confrontations triggered by US-Israel joint strikes against Iran on February 28, leading to a broader crisis in the Gulf region. Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel and US military bases further exacerbated the situation, culminating in concerns over maritime security.
