Fatal attack on cargo vessel in Bab el-Mandeb strait

On Tuesday, a cargo vessel identified as the Egyptian-owned Tihamah was struck by projectiles in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, resulting in significant casualties. Conflicting reports exist regarding the scale of the incident: initial sources indicated three crew deaths, while Yemen's transport ministry later stated that six people were killed and ten injured. The casualties reportedly include Pakistani and Indonesian nationals. The ship was hit by ballistic missiles south of Mocha, according to government officials, though UKMTO reported the strike occurred while the vessel was anchored northeast of Perim Island.

Following the initial impact, Yemeni coastguard forces attempted to assist the crew but reportedly came under fire from a second missile strike, which injured three rescue personnel. The Houthis, who control northwestern Yemen, claimed they targeted a ship carrying Saudi military equipment, though the Yemeni transport ministry characterized it as a commercial vessel. This event marks the first deadly strike on shipping since the onset of the Iran war on February 28.

The attack follows the Houthis' July 20 declaration of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, which the group justifies as a response to a regional siege. The internationally recognized government in Aden condemned the strike, while the incident highlights the escalating volatility in Red Sea shipping lanes amid the broader conflict.