Yemen coastguard says six killed in Houthi strike on ship in Red Sea

Yemen's coastguard reported on Tuesday that Houthi rebels attacked a cargo vessel, resulting in at least six deaths near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The vessel, named Tihamah, carried four sailors killed along with two members of a rescue mission's forces. The attacks occurred following the Houthis' announcement of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, which began last month.

The initial strike led to a fire aboard the ship, causing extensive damage and casualties among the crew, including three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national. A second attack targeted the vessel during the rescue operation, resulting in additional deaths and injuries. The Yemeni government held the Houthis responsible for the incident, while the Houthis have not commented on the allegations.

This incident occurred amidst the collapse of a years-long truce between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which had been in place since 2022. The Houthis subsequently declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, targeting Saudi tankers and oil infrastructure in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.