Three ballistic missiles reportedly hit the cargo vessel Tihamah in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait; second strike allegedly targeted rescue efforts
Aden: At least six people were killed after a commercial cargo vessel carrying food supplies came under a reported missile attack in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait of the Red Sea, according to Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Yemeni authorities have blamed the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for the attack, saying the group targeted a small cargo vessel named Tihamah with three ballistic missiles.
According to the information cited by CNN, Yemen’s internationally recognised Ministry of Transport said the initial strike triggered a fire onboard the vessel. Four crew members—three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national—were reportedly killed, while four other crew members and a rescue worker were injured.
Second Attack Reportedly Hit During Rescue Operation
Yemeni officials said the Houthis allegedly launched a second attack after search-and-rescue operations had begun.
The authorities described the reported “double-tap” attack as an attempt to put the lives of people onboard the vessel, as well as the rescue personnel responding to the incident, at further risk.
Yemen’s Coast Guard later confirmed that two of those killed were rescue workers, bringing the reported death toll to six.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about the security of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.
Confusion Over Vessel Ownership
There was initially uncertainty regarding the ownership of the vessel.
Yemeni officials and maritime intelligence group Mareisq initially reported that a Saudi-owned vessel had been attacked. However, data from MarineTraffic reportedly indicates that Tihamah was sailing under the Tanzanian flag.
The vessel’s ownership is linked to companies registered in Egypt and Yemen, according to the available shipping data.
The conflicting information regarding the vessel’s ownership and registration is likely to be examined further as authorities investigate the incident.
Houthi Attacks Raise Regional Security Concerns
The latest attack comes amid continuing tensions involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia and other regional powers.
An analysis published by The Jerusalem Post has also raised questions about the recently announced Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, suggesting that the arrangement is facing an early test following attacks attributed to the Houthis.
The analysis noted that the emerging security partnership had not issued a clear military response or warning following a reported attack on an Aramco refinery in Jazan.
Fire Reported at Aramco Facility in Jazan
A fire was reported at an Aramco refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday morning.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that the group had targeted the facility with drones in response to Saudi drone operations in Yemen’s Saada and Hajjah provinces.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy later confirmed that a fire had occurred at the facility and said that it had been brought under control.
Red Sea Shipping Under Renewed Pressure
The reported attack on the Tihamah highlights the continuing security risks facing commercial vessels operating through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Any escalation in attacks on commercial shipping could have wider implications for global trade, shipping costs, insurance premiums and supply chains, particularly for vessels using the route to connect Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Authorities and maritime security organisations are expected to continue monitoring the region closely as investigations into the latest incident proceed.
