Houthi attack on cargo ship kills at least two in Red Sea

A projectile struck a cargo ship in the Red Sea, resulting in fatalities and injuries in an attack attributed to Houthi rebels. The incident occurred south of the Yemeni port of Mocha, marking a lethal escalation in maritime hostilities in the region.

Reports on the number of casualties differ among sources. While some accounts indicate that at least two people were killed, others report three deaths. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) confirmed that a cargo ship was hit by a projectile of unknown origin, causing casualties.

The Yemeni coast guard in Mocha attributed the attack to Houthi rebels, allies of Iran, and reported three deaths. British security firm Vanguard Tech stated that a vessel was hit near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, resulting in at least two deaths.

Vanguard Tech further reported that the Yemeni navy was dispatched to assist the ship but came under fire, resulting in one additional casualty. Yemeni media corroborated that two of those killed were crew members, including one Pakistani and one Indonesian national.

The targeted vessel is identified as the Tihamah, sailing under the flag of Tanzania. Ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic located the ship in the Red Sea off Warner Point. Visual evidence supports the incident, with social media images examined by BBC Verify showing a damaged cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Images shared by Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency were verified as new and showed no signs of AI generation. This attack is described as the first deadly strike by the Houthis on a vessel since the US and Israel started a conflict against Iran.

Regional Context and Escalation

The Houthis are allied to Iran and receive Tehran's full support. Hostilities between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed internationally recognised government in Yemen resumed in July, following the collapse of a years-long truce. The regional conflict has been ongoing since the end of February.

Since July, the Houthis have been conducting attacks against the Saudi fleet in the Red Sea. The group also announced a naval blockade of Saudi ports. These maritime incidents occur alongside broader regional tensions, including Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas transit.