SANAA: At least six people were killed after alleged Houthi strikes hit a cargo vessel near Yemen’s southern coast, officials said Tuesday.
Yemen’s coastguard said the attacks targeted the “Tihamah” near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Four sailors aboard the vessel and two rescue personnel died during the incident.
The first strike reportedly caused a major fire and extensive damage to the ship. The coastguard said three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national were among the sailors killed.
A second strike allegedly hit the vessel while rescue teams were evacuating crew members. The attack killed and injured personnel involved in the rescue operation.
Officials said 10 people were injured during the attacks.
Yemen Blames Houthis for Deadly Shipping Attack
Yemen’s internationally recognised government blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the strikes. The Transport Ministry also held the group responsible for the deaths, injuries and damage.
However, the ministry reported a lower death toll of four people. The Houthis have not officially commented on the allegations.
The latest incident adds to growing attacks on commercial shipping near the Red Sea entrance. The attacks followed the Houthis’ announcement of a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s long-running truce collapsed last month as fighting intensified between Iran and the United States.
The collapse ended a UN-backed 2022 ceasefire arrangement between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government.
The Houthis have since targeted Saudi tankers and oil infrastructure in the Red Sea. Their actions have coincided with Iran’s blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
