Four crew members died in an attack by Iran-backed Houthis on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, as reported by Yemen’s transport ministry. The U.S. military also mentioned taking action against a container ship headed towards an Iranian port.
The ship, Tihamah, owned by Egypt, suffered casualties marking the first since Houthi hostilities began on February 28. Houthis confirmed they targeted a vessel in the area, claiming it carried Saudi military gear but did not identify it.
Satellite imagery of Bab el-Mandeb strait as seen from a perspective. Image courtesy of Gallo Images / Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026 via Getty Images.
The British agency, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), accounted for one incident in the area, with a strike on an unidentified ship. Reuters confirmed the ship was Tihamah through deck shape and satellite images.
Records indicated Tihamah positioned near Murad, Yemen, on August 11. Confirmations came from Yemeni coast guard sources and military officials stating the Houthis attacked a small cargo vessel. British security company Ambrey also reported an August 11 incident.
The attack claimed the lives of three Pakistanis, as verified by Pakistan’s foreign minister. An Indonesian crew member also died, and control was lost following the assault. When the National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi team, attempted rescue, Houthis attacked again, killing two rescuers according to the Yemeni Coast Guard. The incident injured ten, including seven crew, two Coast Guard, and one NRF member.
Protests against the Saudi-led blockade seen last month in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. Image by Mohammed Hamoud / Getty Images.
The Houthis declared a blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea on July 20, citing a siege. Saudi Arabia refutes allegations of a Yemeni blockade.
The incident happened while the ship lay anchored northeast of Perim Island, Yemen, noted by British maritime group Ambrey.
Attack Off Pakistan
Separately, U.S. Central Command fired Hellfire missiles, halting the Panama-flagged Vela Nova while it advanced through the Gulf of Oman towards Iran. The vessel ignored numerous warnings against breaching a naval blockade.
This marks the 12th vessel targeted by the U.S. since the blockade was set in April and the third affected since reinstating it on July 14.
Recent port stops included Mumbai and Malaysia’s Port Klang, with Iran-linked ships spotted there, shared Charlie Brown from United Against Nuclear Iran. These moves highlight intensified scrutiny on Iran-related maritime activities.
The attack occurred roughly 71 nautical miles from Pakistan, informed the U.K.-based Vanguard.
Shipping Traffic Declines
Traffic through Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea has decreased over 50% due to Houthi aggressions from 2023 to 2025. More declines followed the Houthi blockade announcement last month, with daily averages dropping from 50 to 32 ships according to Kpler data.
People navigate near anchored container ships in Bab al-Mandeb strait off Yemen’s shore earlier this month. AFP provides this visual via Getty Images.
The cargo ship in question, noted to be non-Saudi, reportedly left al-Mokha, held by Yemeni forces. Egyptian companies own and manage the ship, with no immediate response reached from them.
Moreover, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is severely disrupted, with only six ships passing Monday, down from a previous average of about 130 to 140, as noted before combat initiation.