Houthi Attack on Cargo Ship off Yemen Kills Six, Including One Indonesian
The Iran-backed Houthi group launched an attack on a cargo ship near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen. At least six people were killed in the series of attacks, including one Indonesian national (WNI).
According to AFP on Wednesday (12/8/2026), the internationally recognised Yemeni government’s coastguard identified the cargo ship as the Tihamah. Four crew members were killed in the initial attack, comprising three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian.
‘The initial attack on the ship caused a fire on board and inflicted significant damage, in addition to causing deaths and injuries among its crew, including three Pakistanis and one Indonesian who were killed,’ the coastguard said in a statement.
Two other people killed were members of the forces deployed in a rescue operation to evacuate the crew. The second attack occurred as the rescue team was carrying out the evacuation process. A missile reportedly struck the location of the rescue operation.
‘The attack hit the rescue operation site and resulted in deaths and injuries among the forces involved in the emergency response operation,’ the coastguard stated. Overall, at least 10 people were reported injured in the series of attacks.
A media outlet affiliated with the Houthis later reported that the group had indeed targeted a ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday (11/8). The Houthis claimed the ship was carrying military equipment belonging to Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed information regarding three Indonesian crew members who were victims of the attack in the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, Yemen. ‘From the three Indonesian crew members, one suffered minor injuries from shrapnel and did not require hospital treatment, while another was injured and has received hospital care,’ said Heni Hamidah, Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/8/2026).
Earlier, correspondents for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath reported on Tuesday (11/8) that one Indonesian national had died in the attack. Heni stated that this information was still being verified. ‘Another Indonesian crew member was reported by several international media outlets to have died in the incident. However, this information is still in the process of verification,’ she said.
She confirmed that the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat continues to monitor developments, particularly after establishing contact with the Indonesian crew members on the MV Tihamah. The ship was known to be carrying a total of 11 crew members, consisting of eight Pakistani nationals and three Indonesians.