The Indian Navy revealed on Thursday that it had rescued the crew of a ship owned by the United States in the Gulf of Aden following an attack by the Houthi movement in Yemen, as tensions in the sea routes hampered international trade.
The US military reported that its forces had intercepted 14 Houthi missiles that had been launched after the attack on USS Genco Picardy late on Wednesday.
“presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region”.
Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia on ships in and around the Red Sea since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers in an escalation of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.
The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians and have threatened to target U.S. ships in response to American and British strikes on the group’s positions.
India said it diverted a warship deployed in the region to rescue the 22 crew on board the Genco Picardy, including nine Indians. The crew were all safe and a fire on board the vessel had been extinguished.
The Houthi movement said its missiles had made a “direct hit” on the bulk carrier.
Shipping operator Genco confirmed the attack and said its vessel was hit by a projectile while it was transiting through the Gulf of Aden with a cargo of phosphate rock.
