Three Pakistanis killed in Houthi attack on vessel

Three Pakistani sailors were among four crew members killed after a commercial vessel came under attack in the Bab al-

Three Pakistani sailors were among four crew members killed after a commercial vessel came under attack in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, according to Yemen’s Ministry of Transportation.

The Yemeni-flagged vessel, identified as Tihamah, was carrying food supplies when it was reportedly struck by three ballistic missiles while sailing through the strategically important waterway.

The attack set the vessel on fire and caused significant damage, the ministry said. Four other crew members were wounded, while a member of the rescue team also sustained injuries.

The ministry said another missile was fired at the vessel while rescue teams were trying to reach the crew. It accused the attackers of attempting to disrupt the rescue operation and increase the number of casualties.

The ministry condemned the incident and described the attack as a serious threat to maritime security and international trade. It also warned that attacks on commercial vessels carrying essential goods could affect food and consumer supplies in Yemen.

There was no immediate statement from the Houthis regarding the reported attack.

According to maritime security sources, the crew lost control of the vessel after the attack. Yemeni coastguard personnel moved towards the ship, but the responding forces reportedly came under fire.

The incident occurred near Perim Island, a strategically important location close to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. A British maritime security organisation said the vessel was reportedly at anchor northeast of the island when it was struck.

The ship was reportedly carrying food supplies and had departed from the government-controlled Yemeni port of Al-Mokha on Saturday.

Maritime data indicates that shipping activity through the Bab al-Mandeb and Red Sea has fallen sharply amid continuing security concerns. Traffic through the strategic waterway has declined by more than half compared with levels recorded before an earlier wave of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.

The latest restrictions have further reduced shipping activity in the region. Industry data showed that an average of about 32 vessels passed through the strait each day last week, compared with around 50 before the latest blockade was announced.

The Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major international shipping route. Any prolonged disruption could affect the movement of food, fuel and other essential goods between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The incident also adds to concerns over the safety of Pakistani nationals amid the widening regional conflict.