Yemeni officials reported that six individuals were killed in an assault by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on a ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Tuesday. The casualties included four crew members and two members of the government-allied National Resistance Forces. The Yemeni Transportation Ministry confirmed that the Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at the Yemeni commercial vessel.
These fatalities mark the first recorded deaths from Houthi attacks on maritime vessels off Yemen during the recent escalation of conflict in the region. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has redirected attention to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of Yemen, which serves as an alternative route for Saudi Arabian oil shipments.
In recent events, the Houthis targeted the government-controlled port city of Mokha on the Red Sea, as well as other areas within the country. Yemen’s military disclosed that the rebels carried out missile and drone strikes on Mokha and the central province of Marib, resulting in casualties. Last week, the Houthis also conducted attacks on Marib and the eastern province of Hadramout, leading to the deaths of numerous government personnel and civilians.
The strikes on Mokha, a pivotal port under Yemen’s legitimate government, were part of a broader escalation by the Houthis against government forces and oil infrastructure in neighboring Saudi Arabia. These aggressive actions have the potential to reignite Yemen’s civil war, following a fragile truce in 2022, and introduce a new conflict dimension in the Middle East.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized Iran’s stance on the U.S. blockade and other demands, asserting Iran’s strength in the face of adversaries. The ongoing tensions have impacted global energy markets, with uncertainties surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and its significance as a key oil trade route. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation, highlighting the economic pressure on Iran due to the naval blockade restricting its oil sales internationally.