An Israeli billionaire-owned container ship was attacked in the Indian Ocean by drones suspected to have been launched by Iran
On Friday, CMA CGM’s ship Symi came under the attack of a triangle-shaped, bomb-carrying Shahed-136 drone while in international waters, an American defence official told AP news agency.
Though the vessel suffered damages, there were no injuries to the crew.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the official was quoted as saying.
The news was later confirmed by Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite news channel.
According to The Times of Israel, the damage caused to the ship was minimal.
It reported that the ship had no ties with Israel as Symi is leased to CMA CGM by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which is a company ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.
“The attack is likely to have been targeted, due to the vessel’s Israeli affiliation through Eastern Pacific Shipping,” the private intelligence firm Ambrey told the AP.
“The vessel’s AIS transmissions were off days prior to the event, indicating this alone does not prevent an attack.”
A statement issued on behalf of Eastern Pacific acknowledged the company being “aware of claims that a container ship under the company’s management was targeted in a possible security incident overnight on Friday.”
“The vessel in question is currently sailing as planned,” the statement said. “All crew are safe and well.”
The attack comes at a time when the whole Gulf region finds itself in turmoil amid the bombardment of Gaza by Israel.
Houthis and Hezbollah have been launching attacks on Israel, and US vessels that were deployed after the war in response to genocide I Gaza where more than 14,000 people have lost life.
