Kathmandu— At least six people were killed and ten others wounded when a cargo ship, the Egyptian-owned Tihamah, was struck by Houthi missiles in the Bab al-Mandeb strait on Tuesday, according to Yemen’s internationally recognised government; three of those killed were Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian. The attack represents the first reported shipping deaths connected to the Iran-aligned Houthis since February 28th, amid escalating tensions following the collapse of a years-long truce in Yemen's civil war and increased regional conflict.

Double Strike Targets Rescue Operation

Yemen’s Transport Ministry stated that three ballistic missiles initially struck the Tihamah, igniting a fire and causing significant damage. As rescue personnel were evacuating casualties, the Houthis reportedly fired another missile at the same location, resulting in additional deaths and injuries among those responding to the crisis; at least two coastguard troops were killed in this second strike. Ten people were wounded overall, including seven crew members on board the vessel.

Conflicting Claims of Targeted Vessels

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and urged international action against the Houthi group. While there was no immediate official comment from the Houthis themselves, their news agency Saba reported an attack on a Saudi ship carrying military equipment in Bab al-Mandeb, though this claim has not been independently verified or acknowledged by Saudi authorities.

Escalation Follows Truce Collapse

The attacks occur following the breakdown of a UN-backed truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government that had lasted for years. The truce unraveled after a Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport in July prevented an Iranian flight carrying Houthi delegates from landing. In response, the Houthis attacked Abha airport in Saudi Arabia and announced a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, targeting vessels and oil facilities.

Regional Concerns Mount

The renewed hostilities have prompted warnings from the United Nations about the risk of escalating regional conflict and devastating consequences for Yemen’s population. In a separate incident on Tuesday, US forces fired upon a Panama-flagged cargo vessel attempting to breach a blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, though details regarding casualties were not released.

The situation remains volatile as fighting continues along Yemen's western coast and within the country, with both sides claiming responsibility for attacks and escalating tensions in the region.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.