Three crew members were killed in an attack by Iran-backed Houthi militants on a cargo ship transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, August 11, marking the first fatalities in a Houthi strike on shipping since the Iran war began on February 28. The victims included two Pakistanis and one Indonesian, according to Yemeni government and military sources. The vessel, identified as the Tihamah, was hit by an unknown projectile while anchored northeast of Perim Island, Yemen, causing the crew to lose control of the ship.
In a separate incident, a Panama-flagged container ship, the Vela Nova, was struck by a missile off Pakistan in a suspected US attack. The US Central Command reportedly fired a Hellfire missile at the ship’s rudder after it allegedly attempted to evade a US blockade targeting Iran-linked shipping. No casualties were reported in this strike, and the crew was transferred to another vessel.
Houthi Claims and Denials
The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack on the Tihamah, despite declaring a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20 in response to what they described as a Saudi siege. Riyadh has denied that Yemen is under siege. Yemeni military sources reported that three coastguard personnel were injured after being targeted by a drone while attempting to rescue the crew.
US Action in the Gulf of Oman
The US strike on the Vela Nova is the 12th vessel targeted by US forces since the blockade was announced in April, according to reports. The Wall Street Journal cited a US official stating the vessel was attempting to bypass the US embargo on Iranian ports. The US Central Command has not immediately commented on the incident.
Maritime Security and Regional Impact
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade, has seen a more than 50% drop in shipping traffic since Houthi attacks began in 2023. Traffic has further declined since the Houthis announced their maritime blockade last month, with an average of 32 ships per day passing through the strait last week, compared to about 50 before the blockade.
The Tihamah was reportedly carrying food supplies for the Yemeni people, according to the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The vessel is registered under the Tanzanian flag and was sailing from Salalah, Oman, via Djibouti when the attack occurred. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an unknown projectile striking the ship.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
Yemeni coastguard personnel attempted to assist the crew after the attack but came under fire, resulting in additional casualties. The extent of the damage to the Tihamah and the full circumstances of the attack remain under investigation by regional authorities and maritime security groups.
The incidents underscore the escalating risks to commercial shipping in the region, as tensions between the US, Iran, and their respective allies continue to mount. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has threatened to close access, remain flashpoints with significant implications for global energy markets and trade routes.