Yemeni officials reported on Tuesday that six individuals were killed in an assault by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on a vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Among the deceased were four crew members and two members of the government-allied National Resistance Forces, as confirmed by Yemen’s coast guard. The rebels targeted a Yemeni commercial vessel with three ballistic missiles, as stated by the Transportation Ministry of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
These casualties mark the first fatalities resulting from Houthi attacks on maritime vessels off Yemen amid the ongoing conflict in the region. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed due to actions by Iran, attention has shifted to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at Yemen’s southern tip, serving as an alternative route for Saudi Arabia’s oil shipments.
In recent incidents, Houthis launched attacks on the government-controlled port city of Mokha on the Red Sea and other areas within Yemen. Yemen’s military reported missile and drone strikes by the rebels on Mokha and the central province of Marib, resulting in multiple casualties. Last week, Marib and the eastern province of Hadramout were targeted, leading to the deaths of numerous government forces and civilians. Mokha, a key port under Yemen’s internationally recognized government, was also struck, causing fatalities including military personnel.
These assaults by the Houthis against government forces in Yemen and oil infrastructure in neighboring Saudi Arabia, a supporter of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, have raised concerns about reigniting the civil war in Yemen post a 2022 ceasefire and potentially escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the chief negotiator and spokesperson for the Houthis, accused Saudi Arabia of exploiting the ceasefire to enforce an air and sea blockade imposed since 2015. While expressing willingness for negotiations, the Houthis emphasized that any resolution must involve lifting the blockade, a claim refuted by Riyadh. Additionally, the UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed an attack on a cargo vessel near al-Mokha, Yemen, heightening uncertainties for shipping companies navigating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a separate development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted Tehran’s demands, emphasizing Iran’s resilience against the U.S. and Israel. Iran maintains its stance on requiring the U.S. to end the blockade of Iranian ports, lift sanctions, and meet other conditions before considering the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening, which was closed following attacks by Israel and the U.S. Energy prices and the future of key waterways remain significant concerns, influencing U.S. politics ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. President Donald Trump commented on the U.S. Navy’s blockade, asserting its impact on Iran’s economic capabilities amid ongoing tensions.
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