Turkey criticizes assault on Freedom Flotilla Coalition's aid vessel
In a firm rebuke, Turkey has denounced a drone attack on a humanitarian aid ship belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, as reported by Anadolu.
The ship, named Conscience, was on a mission to deliver aid to Gaza, carrying 16 individuals. On May 1, 2025, off Malta's coast in international waters, the vessel came under attack from unidentified drones at 00:23 Maltese time. This attack led to a fire, a hull breach, and the disabling of the generator, potentially causing the ship to sink [1][3][4].
Initial reports suggest that the attack was a strategic military action designed to incapacitate the vessel without inflicting casualties [4]. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition did not explicitly state that the attack was Israel's doing, but security sources hint at Israeli involvement given the nature of the attack. Malta's government has been evasive regarding the incident, and the Conscience's flag was revoked just before the attack took place [4].
Despite the dangerous situation, the crew on board held steadfast and called for safe passage into Maltese territorial waters to carry out repairs. Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oncu Keceli, assured that the vessel was carrying Turkish citizens, and the crew and passengers' health remained intact [2]. Cooperation with Maltese authorities is underway to ensure the safe transfer of the Turkish citizens to a secure location.
Read more about the Freedom Flotilla ship that faced an attack intending to breach the Gaza siege.
- The unidentified drone attack on the Freedom Flotilla's ship, named Conscience, in international waters off Malta's coast, as reported by Anadolu, was a strategic military action aiming to incapacitate the vessel without causing casualties.
- Initial findings suggest that the humanitarian aid ship, carrying 16 individuals, was on a mission to deliver aid to Gaza, but It was attacked and suffered a fire, a hull breach, and the disabling of the generator, potentially causing it to sink.
- News sources hint at Israeli involvement in the attack, given the nature of the incident, although the Freedom Flotilla Coalition did not explicitly blame Israel for the attack.
- The General News and Politics sections have been abuzz with updates regarding the Conscience, as Turkey's Foreign Ministry denounced the attack and assured that the vessel was carrying Turkish citizens, and the crew and passengers' health remained intact.
- Amidst the politics and news surrounding the drone attack, the crew on board the Conscience continues to call for safe passage into Maltese territories to conduct necessary repairs.
