A deadly US strike off the coast of Oman has left three Indian sailors dead, prompting grief in New Delhi and a formal diplomatic protest over the attack on a commercial vessel. "It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello," Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement, referring to the strike on the vessel a day earlier. "Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified". India's foreign ministry…

Tuesday May 19, 2026 Egypt on Monday pressed Somali authorities to step up efforts to free Egyptian sailors seized aboard the oil tanker M/T Eureka, as the crisis continues to draw concern in Cairo. During a meeting in Cairo with Somali Ambassador Ali Abdi Awari, Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Mohamed Karim Sherif stressed the urgency of protecting the detained citizens and securing their release as quickly as possible. Awari, for his part, briefed Sherif on Mogadishu’s ongoing high-level contacts and the…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 Egyptian diplomats moved quickly after pirates seized a commercial cargo vessel with an Egyptian crew off the Somali coast, as Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Ambassador Haddad El-Gohary laid out the steps taken to safeguard the sailors and push for their release. Speaking by phone on Al-Hayat TV, El-Gohary rejected claims that the pirates had singled out the Egyptian crew. He said such attacks are typically indiscriminate, with pirates boarding vessels before…

Wednesday May 13, 2026 The UAE has strongly denounced the hijacking of an oil tanker off the Yemeni coast, a vessel carrying several Egyptian sailors, and its later diversion into Somali territorial waters. In its statement, the UAE said the incident amounts to a direct threat to maritime security and to the safety of international shipping lanes. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Egypt and with the families of the kidnapped sailors, and its support for efforts aimed at…

Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford injures two; carrier remains operational in Red Sea RED SEA — Two U.S. sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a fire broke out Thursday aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy said, adding the ship remains fully mission capable as it continues operations in the Red Sea. In a statement, the Navy said the blaze started and was contained in the Ford’s main laundry facility and was not combat-related. The sailors were treated and are in stable condition. “There…