At least six people were killed after the Egyptian-owned cargo ship Tihamah was targeted in a reported Houthi double-tap attack in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on August 11, 2026. The deadly incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of commercial shipping operating through the strategically important Red Sea waterway.
According to Yemeni authorities and reports cited by Reuters, the vessel was attacked while anchored northeast of Perim Island off Yemen. Four crew members were killed in the initial strike, while two rescuers were reportedly killed when a second attack hit as emergency personnel attempted to assist those aboard the damaged vessel. Ten other people were injured in the incident.
The casualties included three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian crew member. Pakistan subsequently confirmed that three of its citizens were among those killed in the attack. The incident has further highlighted the risks faced by international crews and commercial vessels navigating waters near Yemen.
The Houthi movement later claimed responsibility for an attack against a vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group alleged that the ship was carrying Saudi military equipment, although the claim could not be independently verified. Maritime security authorities had earlier reported that a commercial vessel in the area had been struck by an unknown projectile.
The attack comes amid continuing tensions surrounding maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Houthi attacks and threats against commercial vessels have previously forced a number of international shipping companies to alter routes, with some vessels choosing longer journeys around Africa to avoid the risks associated with the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It provides an important route between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal, making any disruption in the area significant for international trade and global supply chains.
The latest attack is particularly notable because the reported second strike hit rescuers responding to the initial incident. The deaths demonstrate the continuing danger faced not only by merchant crews but also by personnel involved in maritime rescue and security operations.
The Tihamah incident comes as regional maritime security remains under pressure and shipping operators continue to assess the risks of transiting waters around Yemen. Further attacks could lead to additional route diversions, higher insurance costs and increased pressure on global shipping networks.
The deadly strike therefore represents another serious challenge to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region and underscores the continuing threat posed to commercial maritime traffic operating through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.