In the ongoing developments related to the US-Iran conflict, Saudi Arabia has reported that a projectile launched by the Houthi militia struck a school in Najran, resulting in property damage. Additionally, the Saudi-led coalition announced the successful interception and destruction of three missiles fired by the group. Meanwhile, the United States is urging its allies to implement reinstated “snapback” sanctions against Iran, as it introduces new measures targeting individuals and organizations allegedly involved in financing Hamas.
In a separate incident, Saudi officials have transferred the flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the Indian captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Details of the flydubai incident reveal that the co-pilot, an Omani citizen, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar early Wednesday morning. The cockpit commotion prompted both crew and passengers to intervene, overpowering the assailant. This struggle resulted in the Boeing 737 descending rapidly by nearly 14,000 feet within 30 seconds. Fortunately, a second pair of flydubai pilots aboard managed to land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with 182 individuals on board.
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In maritime security news, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a crude oil tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile on its port side, approximately four nautical miles east of Oman. All crew members are reported safe, and there has been no immediate environmental impact; however, investigations are ongoing.
The Associated Press notes that the co-pilot’s violent act has unsettled the travel industry in the region, raising concerns about aviation safety amidst the heightened tensions from the US-Iran war.
Following the attack on the flydubai flight, five Indian crew members were safely rescued from their Kuwaiti-flagged oil tanker, which was struck while traversing the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian Embassy in Muscat expressed gratitude to Omani authorities for their timely assistance in the rescue operation, confirming that all crew members were unharmed.
The oil tanker, identified as the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) MT Kazimah III, caught fire after being hit. This incident marks the second assault on a KOTC supertanker within a week, following a similar attack on the Al Funtas, amidst rising incidents of projectile and drone strikes targeting commercial vessels.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence reported that debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in Ahad Rafidah, Asir region, injuring a local resident and causing damage to a prayer room and several vehicles.
In a statement, the UK government condemned the latest Houthi assaults in Yemen’s Taiz, emphasizing the threats posed to civilian lives. Stephen Doughty, the UK’s minister for the Middle East, reaffirmed the UK’s support for the recognized Yemeni government in its pursuit of peace, denouncing Houthi violence as a catalyst for renewed conflict and suffering.
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