Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed that Saudi Arabia targeted a yacht carrying 14 Indian nationals near Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, describing the alleged strike as a reckless act that endangered international navigation.

The Iran-backed group said Yemeni forces subsequently rescued those on board, although the circumstances of the incident and the condition of the Indians remain unclear.

Brigadier Yahya Saree, military spokesperson for the Houthi-aligned Yemeni Armed Forces, alleged that the vessel was carrying 14 Indians based on preliminary information. In a statement, he said: "The Saudi enemy is targeting an Indian yacht near Zuqar Island, carrying 14 people of Indian nationality according to preliminary information."

Saree further claimed that Yemeni forces had rescued the passengers and warned that the incident posed a threat to shipping in one of the world's most important maritime corridors. He stated: "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."

The allegation emerged as hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continue to affect foreign nationals working in the kingdom, including Indians. The Red Sea and nearby maritime routes remain strategically important for global trade, with security concerns intensifying as regional tensions persist.

The reported yacht incident followed a deadly attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October, in which one Indian national was among two people killed. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh also confirmed that two other Indian nationals were injured in the incident.

The embassy said: "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."

The casualties came amid a series of drone and missile attacks against Saudi airports, energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. While the Houthis have carried out a prolonged campaign against the kingdom, Saudi authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the Dammam airport attack.

Another Indian national was injured during an attempted drone strike on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield in the kingdom's Eastern Province. According to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy, air defences intercepted a drone heading towards the facility, but falling debris killed two residents, a Filipino and a Nepali national, and injured two others, including the Indian citizen and a Pakistani national.

The interception also triggered a fire in a contractor's vehicle outside the site perimeter. Saudi authorities said operations at the oilfield were unaffected. Shaybah, located in the Rub' al-Khali desert near the border with the United Arab Emirates, remains one of Saudi Arabia's key oil production assets.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said it had been in contact with Saudi authorities regarding the injured Indian national and would provide all necessary assistance.

The latest incidents follow an earlier attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh this month, in which an Indian national was killed and several others were injured, underscoring the risks faced by expatriate workers amid the ongoing conflict.

India has strongly condemned attacks on civilian facilities and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of External Affairs stated: "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."

The Indian Embassy has advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter indoors during aerial attacks. It has also warned against recording or sharing images and videos of drone or missile interceptions and impact sites, noting that such actions could lead to legal consequences under Saudi law.

Saudi Arabia hosts approximately 2.74 million Indian nationals, making the Indian community one of the largest expatriate populations in the kingdom. The recent attacks and the Houthi allegations regarding the Red Sea yacht have heightened concerns over the safety of Indian citizens as the conflict continues to affect both land-based infrastructure and regional maritime security.

Agencies