Houthi Missile Attack on Egyptian Cargo Ship in Bab al-Mandab Kills Six, Wounds Ten

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GULF OF ADEN: At least six people have been killed and ten others wounded in a Houthi rebel attack on an Egyptian commercial vessel transiting the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, targeted the ship Tihamah. Yemeni officials reported that Houthi militants struck the vessel with three ballistic missiles, triggering a massive fire and causing extensive damage.

Yemen’s Ministry of Transport confirmed that the fatalities include three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national.

The death toll rose when a second missile struck during rescue operations. According to Yemeni coast guard officials, as rescue teams were evacuating crew members and wounded personnel from the initial attack, the Houthis launched another missile at the ship. The second strike hit the active rescue site, killing two rescue workers and bringing the total casualties to six dead and ten injured.

Bab al-Mandab is a vital waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, serving as a critical corridor for commercial shipping between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The escalating attacks are heightening fears that maritime security in the region could deteriorate further, with potential consequences for global trade and the international economy.