<p>In recent weeks, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen carried out several attacks in response to the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. In the latest such strike, the Tihamah, a Tanzania-flagged small cargo and multipurpose vessel, was attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday (Aug 11). Yemeni coastguard and government sources said two Pakistani and one Indonesian crew member were killed when the ship was sailing from Salalah in Oman towards Djibouti. Houthis haven't immediately claimed responsibility, but this is becoming a pattern. In recent months, the Houthis allegedly disrupted the movement of several vessels in the Red Sea, while also renewing the missile and drone strikes that have become an aspect of the Iran war. After a lull, the attacks began in late March following the US and Israeli strikes against Iran. More specifically, Saudi-linked shipping was targeted since mid-July. This follows the Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, which they called a response to the alleged Saudi siege of Yemen, an allegation rejected by the Arab kingdom.</p><h2>Saudi-flagged or Saudi-linked vessels a key target of Houthis</h2><p>The last few weeks have seen the Houthis using missiles, drones and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), that disproportionately target Saudi-linked ships. The aim is to threaten vessel traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This has led to increased war-risk premiums and the rerouting of some vessels. Shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the wider regional conflict.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-runs-away-from-houthi-battlefield-refrains-from-deploying-army-against-houthis-1786383048120/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-runs-away-from-houthi-battlefield-refrains-from-deploying-army-against-houthis-1786383048120/embed</a></p><h2>Key commercial vessel incidents in recent months allegedly involving Houthis</h2><p>On July 22, the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia and the Saudi-linked vessel Layla were targeted by the Houthis, who claimed to have carried out the attacks because the vessels had violated their blockade. Encelia was hit in the Red Sea, causing a fire at the bow. There were no reported casualties and the crew was safe. On July 22, the Saudi-linked vessel NCC Masa was hit while sailing in the Red Sea, damaging its hull. The ship resumed its journey after the attack, with the vessel and crew reported to be safe.</p><p>On July 28, the Saudi-flagged oil tanker NCC Ghazal was attacked using what was reported to be ballistic missiles.&nbsp;</p><p>The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security organisation that monitors shipping incidents, reported that a tanker had heard an explosion in the Red Sea. The crew was reported to be safe.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mecca-deal-cracks-in-24-hours-pakistan-runs-away-from-houthi-battlefield-gravitas-1786384312713">Mecca deal cracks in 24 hours, Pakistan runs away from Houthi battlefield | Gravitas</a></p><h2>India-flagged vessel targeted by Houthis</h2><p>On 4 August, the India-flagged MSV Faize Noore Oliya, &nbsp;carrying commercial goods, was struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters, south of the Al Hudaydah area. The vessel capsized and sank, but all 14 crew members- 13 Indians and one Yemeni - &nbsp;were rescued by Yemeni authorities and coastguard, and brought to Mokha. The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, but Yemen's internationally recognised government blamed the group.</p><p>On 5 August, the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Wafa was targeted in a missile strike near Yanbu in the northern Red Sea, north of the main Bab el-Mandeb zone. The same day, the Houthis also said they had targeted the Saudi oil vessel Daisy in the Gulf of Aden with a ballistic missile. The vessel was forced to turn back, while a blast was reported nearby, with minor or possible shockwave damage, reports had said, which added that the crew safe.</p><h2>Tihamah attack is the first major Houthi attack that led to fatalities</h2><p>The attack on Tihamah on Tuesday is the first reported incident in this latest escalation to result in fatalities among a commercial vessel's crew. Reports said the vessel suffered heavy damage, with a possible follow-up strike raising concerns about the safety of rescue efforts. The Houthis haven't claimed the attack at the time of writing.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-pakistani-killed-in-houthi-attack-in-test-for-iran-war-mediator-1786445563468">Two Pakistani killed in Houthi attack in test for Iran war mediator</a></p><h2>Houthi actions are rising in the broader war zone</h2><p>Beyond the incidents mentioned above, the Houthis have claimed additional attacks on Saudi-linked vessels as part of their blockade.</p><p>Earlier in March, the Houthis resumed missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. The group launched its first attacks on Israel since the Gaza ceasefire on 28 March, saying the strikes were in support of Iran during the US-Israeli war. Some of the missiles and drones have been intercepted or failed to hit their targets. There have also been reports alleging that Iran has been coordinating with the Houthis, including reports of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) advisers arriving in Sanaa.</p><h2>Houthis target Saudi oil infrastructure</h2><p>There have been reports of attacks affecting Saudi Aramco-related sites in Jizan and Yanbu in late July. A drone strike was reported against a refinery complex in Jazan in early August. Some of these attacks were successfully intercepted or thwarted.&nbsp;</p><p>Houthi attacks have also increased inside Yemen, targeting government-held areas such as the port city of Mokha. On August 9, a Houthi attack there killed at least seven people, including four military personnel and three civilians, and wounded about 30 others. The attack involved ballistic missiles and drones. The Houthis said they were targeting Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots. But the Yemeni military said civilian areas and infrastructure were also hit.</p><h2>Red Sea made into a strategic leverage point by Iran via the Houthis</h2><p>The resumption of Houthi involvement is widening the Iran-US-Israel war into a conflict that increasingly involves Saudi Arabia. This has complicated commercial vessel traffic, given the blockades and confrontation between US-led forces and Iranian forces around the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;</p><p>Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz elevated the strategic significance of Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb routes for some energy shipments, both of which are accessible to the Houthis and vulnerable to attack.</p><p>The situation has effectively created two major maritime pressure points in the region. Iran's disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had increased the importance of alternative routes through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb. The Houthi blockade of Saudi-linked shipping threatens those alternative routes. This gives the Houthis a significant ability to exert pressure on regional shipping and energy flows, while also providing Iran with an additional strategic lever in the wider conflict.</p>

Iran-backed Houthis escalated attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, particularly targeting Saudi-linked ships. The Tihamah attack that killed three crew members is a major turning point, as it involves Pakistani casualties, amid the wider Iran-US-Israel war.

In recent weeks, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen carried out several attacks in response to the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. In the latest such strike, the Tihamah, a Tanzania-flagged small cargo and multipurpose vessel, was attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday (Aug 11). Yemeni coastguard and government sources said two Pakistani and one Indonesian crew member were killed when the ship was sailing from Salalah in Oman towards Djibouti. Houthis haven't immediately claimed responsibility, but this is becoming a pattern. In recent months, the Houthis allegedly disrupted the movement of several vessels in the Red Sea, while also renewing the missile and drone strikes that have become an aspect of the Iran war. After a lull, the attacks began in late March following the US and Israeli strikes against Iran. More specifically, Saudi-linked shipping was targeted since mid-July. This follows the Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, which they called a response to the alleged Saudi siege of Yemen, an allegation rejected by the Arab kingdom. Saudi-flagged or Saudi-linked vessels a key target of Houthis The last few weeks have seen the Houthis using missiles, drones and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), that disproportionately target Saudi-linked ships. The aim is to threaten vessel traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This has led to increased war-risk premiums and the rerouting of some vessels. Shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the wider regional conflict. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-runs-away-from-houthi-battlefield-refrains-from-deploying-army-against-houthis-1786383048120/embed Key commercial vessel incidents in recent months allegedly involving Houthis On July 22, the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia and the Saudi-linked vessel Layla were targeted by the Houthis, who claimed to have carried out the attacks because the vessels had violated their blockade. Encelia was hit in the Red Sea, causing a fire at the bow. There were no reported casualties and the crew was safe. On July 22, the Saudi-linked vessel NCC Masa was hit while sailing in the Red Sea, damaging its hull. The ship resumed its journey after the attack, with the vessel and crew reported to be safe. On July 28, the Saudi-flagged oil tanker NCC Ghazal was attacked using what was reported to be ballistic missiles. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security organisation that monitors shipping incidents, reported that a tanker had heard an explosion in the Red Sea. The crew was reported to be safe. Also read: Mecca deal cracks in 24 hours, Pakistan runs away from Houthi battlefield | Gravitas India-flagged vessel targeted by Houthis On 4 August, the India-flagged MSV Faize Noore Oliya, carrying commercial goods, was struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters, south of the Al Hudaydah area. The vessel capsized and sank, but all 14 crew members- 13 Indians and one Yemeni - were rescued by Yemeni authorities and coastguard, and brought to Mokha. The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, but Yemen's internationally recognised government blamed the group. On 5 August, the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Wafa was targeted in a missile strike near Yanbu in the northern Red Sea, north of the main Bab el-Mandeb zone. The same day, the Houthis also said they had targeted the Saudi oil vessel Daisy in the Gulf of Aden with a ballistic missile. The vessel was forced to turn back, while a blast was reported nearby, with minor or possible shockwave damage, reports had said, which added that the crew safe. Tihamah attack is the first major Houthi attack that led to fatalities The attack on Tihamah on Tuesday is the first reported incident in this latest escalation to result in fatalities among a commercial vessel's crew. Reports said the vessel suffered heavy damage, with a possible follow-up strike raising concerns about the safety of rescue efforts. The Houthis haven't claimed the attack at the time of writing. Also read: Two Pakistani killed in Houthi attack in test for Iran war mediator Houthi actions are rising in the broader war zone Beyond the incidents mentioned above, the Houthis have claimed additional attacks on Saudi-linked vessels as part of their blockade. Earlier in March, the Houthis resumed missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. The group launched its first attacks on Israel since the Gaza ceasefire on 28 March, saying the strikes were in support of Iran during the US-Israeli war. Some of the missiles and drones have been intercepted or failed to hit their targets. There have also been reports alleging that Iran has been coordinating with the Houthis, including reports of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) advisers arriving in Sanaa. Houthis target Saudi oil infrastructure There have been reports of attacks affecting Saudi Aramco-related sites in Jizan and Yanbu in late July. A drone strike was reported against a refinery complex in Jazan in early August. Some of these attacks were successfully intercepted or thwarted. Houthi attacks have also increased inside Yemen, targeting government-held areas such as the port city of Mokha. On August 9, a Houthi attack there killed at least seven people, including four military personnel and three civilians, and wounded about 30 others. The attack involved ballistic missiles and drones. The Houthis said they were targeting Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots. But the Yemeni military said civilian areas and infrastructure were also hit. Red Sea made into a strategic leverage point by Iran via the Houthis The resumption of Houthi involvement is widening the Iran-US-Israel war into a conflict that increasingly involves Saudi Arabia. This has complicated commercial vessel traffic, given the blockades and confrontation between US-led forces and Iranian forces around the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz elevated the strategic significance of Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb routes for some energy shipments, both of which are accessible to the Houthis and vulnerable to attack. The situation has effectively created two major maritime pressure points in the region. Iran's disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had increased the importance of alternative routes through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb. The Houthi blockade of Saudi-linked shipping threatens those alternative routes. This gives the Houthis a significant ability to exert pressure on regional shipping and energy flows, while also providing Iran with an additional strategic lever in the wider conflict.

<p>Iran-backed Houthis escalated attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, particularly targeting Saudi-linked ships. The Tihamah attack that killed three crew members is a major turning point, as it involves Pakistani casualties, amid the wider Iran-US-Israel war.</p>

Houthis unleash terror in Red Sea, the new frontline of Iran war that also targets Saudi, Israel | All major attacks this year

<p>Israel has said it is prepared for a “multi-front war” after Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile attacks toward its territory, marking a significant widening of the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military confirmed that two missiles were fired toward southern Israel on Saturday (March 28), including one ballistic missile. Both projectiles were successfully intercepted, preventing any reported damage or casualties. The strikes represent the Houthis’ first direct attempt to target Israel since hostilities began on February 28.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“We have prepared for a multi-front war. We’ve been fighting for the last two and a half years a multi-front war with threats from various different fronts,” said Nadav Shoshani, international spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), on Sunday (March 29).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Shoshani added that Israel is bracing for the Houthis’ involvement to become a sustained part of the conflict. “We have to be ready for this becoming a part of this war, and that’s how we’re preparing for it. We’re taking their word and preparing to defend ourselves for as long as needed from that front as well,” he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bibi-files-netanyahu-documentary-adelson-hamas-funding-1774776776301">The Bibi Files: What the viral Netanyahu documentary reveals about corruption, Adelson ties and Hamas funding</a></p><h3>Houthis signal deeper involvement</h3><p>The Iran-aligned Houthis’ entry into the conflict underscores the growing regional dimension of the war. The group, which controls large parts of Yemen, has long been backed by Tehran and has expressed strong support for Iran’s position.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi recently reiterated the group’s loyalty to Iran, saying, “Our Yemeni people repay loyalty with loyalty, and Iran was the only state, officially, that stood with us against the aggression on our country.” The development raises concerns about further coordinated actions by Iran-backed groups across the region, potentially stretching Israel’s military across multiple fronts.</p><h3>Strategic waterways under threat</h3><p>The Houthis’ involvement has also heightened fears over global energy security, particularly around key maritime chokepoints. Over the past month, Iran has effectively choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, sending crude prices soaring and rattling international markets. Now, attention is shifting to another critical passage - the Bab al-Mandab Strait.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-awacs-hit-in-iran-strike-why-damage-to-e-3-sentry-is-a-major-blow-explained-1774775200851">US AWACS hit in Iran strike: Why damage to E-3 Sentry is a major blow</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The narrow waterway, located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, handles roughly 12 per cent of the world’s seaborne oil trade, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The Houthis have indicated they may target shipping routes in the area, raising the prospect of further disruption to global energy supplies. With multiple flashpoints emerging across the Middle East, Israel’s warning of a “multi-front war” reflects growing concern that the conflict could expand into a broader regional confrontation.</p>

Israel prepares for a "multi-front war" after Yemeni Houthi rebels launched intercepted missiles toward its territory. The escalation threatens global energy security, specifically targeting the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straits.

Israel has said it is prepared for a “multi-front war” after Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile attacks toward its territory, marking a significant widening of the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military confirmed that two missiles were fired toward southern Israel on Saturday (March 28), including one ballistic missile. Both projectiles were successfully intercepted, preventing any reported damage or casualties. The strikes represent the Houthis’ first direct attempt to target Israel since hostilities began on February 28. “We have prepared for a multi-front war. We’ve been fighting for the last two and a half years a multi-front war with threats from various different fronts,” said Nadav Shoshani, international spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), on Sunday (March 29). Shoshani added that Israel is bracing for the Houthis’ involvement to become a sustained part of the conflict. “We have to be ready for this becoming a part of this war, and that’s how we’re preparing for it. We’re taking their word and preparing to defend ourselves for as long as needed from that front as well,” he said. Also read: The Bibi Files: What the viral Netanyahu documentary reveals about corruption, Adelson ties and Hamas funding Houthis signal deeper involvement The Iran-aligned Houthis’ entry into the conflict underscores the growing regional dimension of the war. The group, which controls large parts of Yemen, has long been backed by Tehran and has expressed strong support for Iran’s position. Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi recently reiterated the group’s loyalty to Iran, saying, “Our Yemeni people repay loyalty with loyalty, and Iran was the only state, officially, that stood with us against the aggression on our country.” The development raises concerns about further coordinated actions by Iran-backed groups across the region, potentially stretching Israel’s military across multiple fronts. Strategic waterways under threat The Houthis’ involvement has also heightened fears over global energy security, particularly around key maritime chokepoints. Over the past month, Iran has effectively choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, sending crude prices soaring and rattling international markets. Now, attention is shifting to another critical passage - the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Also read: US AWACS hit in Iran strike: Why damage to E-3 Sentry is a major blow The narrow waterway, located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, handles roughly 12 per cent of the world’s seaborne oil trade, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The Houthis have indicated they may target shipping routes in the area, raising the prospect of further disruption to global energy supplies. With multiple flashpoints emerging across the Middle East, Israel’s warning of a “multi-front war” reflects growing concern that the conflict could expand into a broader regional confrontation.

<p>Israel prepares for a "multi-front war" after Yemeni Houthi rebels launched intercepted missiles toward its territory. The escalation threatens global energy security, specifically targeting the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straits.</p>

As Houthis enter Iran conflict, Israel says it’s ready for ‘multi-front war’

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Houthis unleash terror in Red Sea, the new frontline of Iran war that also targets Saudi, Israel | All major attacks this year

As Houthis enter Iran conflict, Israel says it’s ready for ‘multi-front war’