An attack by Houthi militants on a cargo vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of southern Yemen has killed at least four crew members, according to Yemen’s government.
The country’s Transport Ministry said the vessel, identified as the Tihamah, was struck by three successive ballistic missiles while transiting the strategic waterway.
The attack, which reportedly targeted a vessel carrying food supplies, sparked a fire on board and killed four crew members, three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian. Four other crew members and a member of the rescue team were also injured, the ministry said.
An incident off Al Mokha, Yemen, saying a cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea had been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in casualties.
It is with sadness and regret to know that, once again, innocent seafarers have lost their lives in an indefensible attack on international shipping. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those involved.
Dominguez further commented that it is particularly concerning that the latest attack took place in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. Continued attacks on shipping risk further escalating tensions and threatening the global supply chains on which economies depend.
The Secretary-General also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers who remain captive following piracy attacks in the region, stressing that ensuring seafarer safety is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the international community.
I reiterate my call for shipowners and ship operators to thoroughly assess risks before transiting this and other regions and follow appropriate best management practices. Seafarers deserve to be protected and allowed to do their jobs in safety and security.
The incident follows a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Al Mokha (Mocha) on August 9 and 10. The strikes, carried out in two waves, reportedly killed at least 18 people and caused damage to port infrastructure, commercial facilities and supplies.