The Transport Ministry of Yemen’s internationally recognised government has accused the Houthi movement of attacking a Yemeni commercial vessel in the Bab Al Mandeb strait, killing four crew members and injuring four others.
The ministry said in a statement that the vessel, Tihama, was struck three times by ballistic missiles while sailing through the strategic waterway on Tuesday morning. It was carrying food supplies.
The attack sparked a fire on board and killed four crew members – three Pakistanis and one Indonesian.
A member of the rescue team was also injured and the boat was damaged.
The ministry said the Houthis fired another missile at the vessel as rescue teams were attempting to reach the crew and evacuate the injured.
The ministry condemned what it described as a “terrorist” attack that was an effort by the Houthis to expand their threats to commercial vessels and civilian maritime infrastructure.
The ministry warned that attacks on commercial shipping could disrupt supplies of food and consumer goods to millions of Yemenis and pose a broader threat to regional and international maritime security.
It called on the international community and maritime organisations to take urgent action to ensure freedom of navigation and protect crews and maritime workers in the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb strait and Gulf of Aden.
