Transport Ministry: Houthi Attack on Yemeni Cargo Ship in Bab al-Mandab Kills Four

September Net

The Ministry of Transport condemned the Houthi missile attack on the Yemeni commercial vessel Tihama in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Tuesday, which killed four crew members and injured four others.

In a statement, the ministry said the vessel, which was carrying food supplies, came under three successive ballistic missile strikes while sailing through the strait. The attack set the ship ablaze, killed three Pakistani crew members and an Indonesian sailor, and injured four others. A member of the rescue team was also injured, while the vessel sustained material damage.

The ministry said the Houthis fired another missile at the vessel as rescue teams were attempting to evacuate the injured, putting the lives of the crew and rescuers at further risk.

It condemned the attack as a serious threat to maritime security and international trade, saying Houthi attacks are increasingly targeting commercial vessels, ports and civilian transport infrastructure, putting food and other essential supplies at risk for millions of Yemenis.

The ministry held the Houthis fully responsible for the casualties and damage and called on the international community and maritime organizations to take firm action to protect commercial shipping and crews and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden.