Yemen’s Houthi forces on Thursday alleged that Saudi Arabia had targeted a yacht carrying 14 Indian nationals near Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea. The group said its forces were attempting to rescue
those on board the vessel.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said further details about the incident would be shared later. The allegation, however, has not been independently verified.
“The Saudi enemy is targeting an Indian yacht near Zuqar Island, carrying 14 people of Indian nationality, according to preliminary information. The Yemeni Armed Forces are rescuing them and will provide more details later. This reckless act by the Saudi enemy in targeting it threatens international navigation in the Red Sea, and the international community must stop the Saudi enemy from these reckless actions,” Saree posted on X.
The Indian embassy in Yemen said it was verifying reports of the incident and would extend all possible assistance to ensure the safety of the 14 Indian nationals.
“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,” it said in a post on X.
We are continuing to make efforts to find more details about the incident off the coast of Yemen on October 22 in which apparently there were Indian nationals (sailors) on board a yacht. Given the prevailing conflict situation exact information is not currently available. We have reached out to different parties to establish circumstances and facts of the incident and hope to update as soon as authentic information becomes available.@MEAIndia
— India in Yemen (@IndiaInYemen) October 22, 2026
In a subsequent update, India said it was reaching out to various parties to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident reported off Yemen’s coast on October 22. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the prevailing conflict situation had made it difficult to obtain precise information about the incident.
“We are continuing to make efforts to find more details about the incident off the coast of Yemen on October 22, in which apparently there were Indian nationals (sailors) on board a yacht. Given the prevailing conflict situation, exact information is not currently available. We have reached out to different parties to establish the circumstances and facts of the incident and hope to update as soon as authentic information becomes available.
@MEAIndia”
Indian Killed In Dammam Airport Attack
The report of the yacht incident comes a day after an Indian national was killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The attack also claimed the life of another person, while two Indian nationals sustained injuries.
The Indian embassy shared details of the casualties on Thursday, saying it was in touch with the affected families.
“Saudi authorities have informed that one Indian national was among two people who unfortunately lost their lives in the attack on Dammam airport yesterday night and two Indian nationals were injured. We are ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased, and we wish speedy recovery of the injured,” it said in a post on X.
India Condemns Attacks On Saudi Arabia
India on Thursday strongly condemned attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, specifically mentioning the strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and the attack on Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field 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 (MEA) said.
The MEA also called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, reaffirming India’s support for Saudi Arabia.
“We also reiterate that the attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately. We stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest,” the MEA said.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have accused Saudi forces of conducting air and missile strikes across several provinces in Yemen this week.
