Yemen Govt: Houthis Killed 4 in Red Sea Ship Attack
Yemen's government reported that four crew members were killed in a missile attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, suspected to be carried out by Iran-backed Houthis. This potential strike marks the first fatal incident against a vessel since the US and Israel initiated conflict with Iran.
Key takeaways
- Yemen's government reported four deaths in a missile attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea.
- The attack, suspected to be carried out by Iran-backed Houthis, hit the vessel south of Mocha port.
- The ship, named Tihamah, was reportedly carrying food and sailing under the Tanzanian flag.
- This is potentially the first fatal attack on a vessel by the Houthis since the start of the Iran war.
Yemen's government has stated that four individuals died in a Red Sea attack targeting a cargo vessel. The assault, attributed by the Yemeni government to the Iran-aligned Houthis, involved three ballistic missiles striking south of Mocha port, causing a fire. If confirmed, this would represent the first fatal attack on a ship by the group since the commencement of hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran.
The affected vessel, identified as the Tihamah and sailing under the Tanzanian flag, was reportedly carrying food. Yemen's transport ministry described the ship as a Yemeni commercial vessel, while other reports suggested it was Saudi-affiliated. Social media images verified by BBC Verify appear to show damage to the ship in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Maritime risk company Vanguard reported that the Yemeni Navy responded to the incident and came under fire, resulting in three additional injuries. The Houthis began targeting shipping in the Red Sea last month, announcing a blockade of Saudi ports, though they have not claimed responsibility for this specific attack.
Background
The incident occurs amid heightened regional tensions. The conflict in the region has been ongoing since late February, with a fragile ceasefire having faltered. The Houthis control significant parts of northwestern Yemen and are in frequent conflict with the internationally recognized government, which operates from Aden.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
