A double-tap missile strike by the Houthi rebel group on a commercial cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb strait killed at least six people and wounded ten others, according to Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Six Killed and Ten Wounded in Houthi Missile Strike on Cargo Ship in Bab al-Mandeb Strait
The attack targeted the Egyptian-owned Tihamah, which was struck on Tuesday. According to Yemen’s Transport Ministry, the Houthis fired three ballistic missiles at the commercial ship, sparking a fire and causing significant damage. The initial barrage resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national.
As rescue personnel and response forces worked to evacuate the dead and wounded, the Houthis fired another missile that struck the ongoing rescue operation. Yemen’s coastguard stated that the second strike resulted in additional deaths and injuries among the participating response forces, killing at least two troops. In total, ten people were wounded in the dual strikes, including seven crew members.
Broader Regional Escalation and Government Response
The fatalities on board the vessel mark the first shipping deaths linked to the Iran-aligned Houthis since the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28. Yemen’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack and called on the international community to move from condemnation to effective and decisive action against the Houthi movement.
While there was no official comment from the Houthis regarding the specific casualties, the Houthi-run news agency Saba reported that the group had attacked a Saudi ship carrying military equipment in the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a cargo vessel off the coast of al-Mokha had been hit by an unknown projectile, and maritime security company Ambrey noted the ship was targeted while positioned off Perim Island.
The renewed maritime violence unfolds against the backdrop of a collapsing truce in Yemen’s civil war. The breakdown of the 2022 United Nations-backed truce followed a Saudi air strike on the runway of Sanaa airport on July 13, which prevented an Iranian flight carrying a high-ranking Houthi delegation from landing. In response, the Houthis attacked Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia and announced a naval blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.
Impact on Regional Shipping and UN Warnings
The escalation has further disrupted commercial transit through vital waterways. Attacks in the Bab al-Mandeb strait have increased uncertainty for shipping companies already grappling with broader regional tensions. Kpler data indicated that an average of 32 ships per day passed through the strait, down from a pre-blockade average of 50 ships per day.
The United Nations has voiced deep concern over the renewed hostilities, warning that the escalating conflict risks drawing the country into a broader regional confrontation with devastating consequences for its population. Amid the maritime clashes, the US military reported a separate incident on Tuesday involving a Navy helicopter firing two Hellfire missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo vessel attempting to break a blockade in the Gulf of Oman.