Syria calls for independent investigation into Black Sea cargo ship sinking that left 10 crew missing

On October 8, 2026, Syria called for an independent investigation into the sinking of the cargo ship Alfa Watan in the Black Sea, which left ten crew members missing. The ship went down in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone after a drone strike. Bulgaria had halted its search for the crew, prompting Syria to question why. The attack also hit another vessel, the Able, but all its crew were rescued. The incident is part of rising attacks on shipping in the region during the Russia-Ukraine war.