Houthis Attack Cargo Ship in Bab el-Mandeb

An attack by Iran-backed Houthis on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait resulted in the death of four crew members, according to Yemen’s transport ministry. The attack targeted the Egyptian-owned Tihamah vessel, marking a significant escalation in maritime hostilities.

Details of the Attack

The Houthis confirmed the attack on the ship, stating that it was carrying Saudi military equipment, though the specific vessel was not named. Satellite images confirmed the attack, identifying the ship as the Tihamah through visual comparisons with archived imagery.

The Saudi Center for International Communication did not comment. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) noted an incident in the strait involving an unknown projectile hitting a vessel.

Casualties and Response

The attack resulted in the deaths of three Pakistanis, confirmed by Pakistan’s foreign minister, and an Indonesian crew member. Efforts to control the vessel failed post-attack. In a secondary strike, two rescuers from the National Resistance Forces, an anti-Houthi group, lost their lives. Additional injuries included seven crew members, two Coast Guard personnel, and one NRF member.

The Houthis previously declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, claiming it was a retaliation for a supposed Saudi siege, a claim Riyadh denies.

U.S. Military Involvement

Separately, the U.S. Central Command utilized Hellfire missiles to disable the steering of the Panama-flagged Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was reportedly breaching a naval blockade on Iranian ports. This incident adds to a series of U.S. actions against vessels defying the blockade.

Charlie Brown, an advisor at United Against Nuclear Iran, emphasized the increased surveillance on Iran-related maritime activities following this incident.

Impact on Shipping Traffic

Shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea has decreased significantly, with traffic falling over 50% since prior Houthi attacks between 2023 and 2025. The announcement of a Houthi blockade last month further reduced traffic. Recent data indicated a drop from an average of 50 ships per day to 32 last week.

Vanguard, a U.K. maritime risk management group, noted reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as well, with significant dips compared to prewar levels.

The Tihamah had departed from the Yemeni-controlled port of al-Mokha before the attack. Shipping data lists Egyptian companies as owners, but they remain silent on the incident.