Three Pakistani nationals were killed in an attack by the Houthi militant group on a commercial ship named Tihama as it passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea on Tuesday, August 12, 2026. The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in a statement translated from Arabic, confirmed that multiple crew members died in the attack, including three Pakistanis and one Indonesian.

Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed deep concern during a press briefing on Wednesday, stating, “According to the information available as of now, three Pakistani nationals have lost their lives, and one has sustained injuries. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.” He emphasized that the attack targeted a commercial vessel in the Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, control parts of Yemen amid the ongoing civil war. This week, the Iranian-supported group renewed attacks on the Yemeni port city of Mokha along the Red Sea, which is held by the Yemeni government. These attacks come amid a blockade on Saudi exports in response to the broader Iran war.

Tensions in the Middle East remain high, with conflicts involving Israel’s war in Gaza and the Iran war, which began in February 2026 by the U.S. and Israel, approaching six months. Iran has also restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

This incident underscores the risk of a widening regional conflict involving multiple actors in the Middle East.

Sources