Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version:
In the remote waters of the Arabian Sea, a Portuguese-flagged container ship faced an unexpected attack from a drone, as reported by authorities on Tuesday. This incident corresponds with a claim made by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, suggesting their involvement in the assault.
The targeted vessel, named MSC Orion, was approximately 600 kilometers (375 miles) off the coast of Yemen when the attack occurred. This marks the first confirmed deep-sea assault attributed to the Houthis since their targeting of ships began in November. The incident raises concerns about the rebels’ capability to strike far into the Indian Ocean, a threat they had previously hinted at during their ongoing campaign related to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
According to the Joint Maritime Information Center, which operates under the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East, the attack took place last Friday. Following the attack, the crew found drone debris on board. Fortunately, the damage to the ship was minor, and all crew members are reported safe.
The MSC Orion is linked to London-based Zodiac Maritime, part of the Zodiac Group owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Operating on behalf of the Mediterranean Shipping Co., the vessel was bound for Salalah, Oman. However, neither Zodiac nor MSC has provided any comment regarding the incident.
The Joint Maritime Information Center suspects that the MSC Orion was targeted due to its perceived Israeli connection. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi rebels, claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday, although he did not clarify the delay in acknowledging it.
This attack raises questions about the Houthis’ ability to carry out assaults far from Yemeni shores, as their previous operations were concentrated in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rebels lack an expeditionary naval fleet and advanced technology for long-distance drone control.
Although Iran, a known supporter of the Houthis, has been implicated in providing sophisticated weaponry, including drones, to the rebel group, there is no definitive evidence linking Iran to this specific incident. Iranian state media reported the Houthis’ claim of responsibility, but Iran’s mission to the United Nations has not commented on the matter.
