The International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, has emphasized the need for ship owners and operators to conduct comprehensive risk assessments in the Middle East following a deadly attack on the Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship, Tihamah. The vessel was struck approximately 5 nautical miles off Al Mokha, Yemen, and was targeted again while rescuers were evacuating the crew. Reports indicate that the ship was hit by a total of three missiles.
Yemen’s internationally-recognized government has attributed the attacks to the Houthi rebel group, which is enforcing a blockade on Saudi Arabia-linked shipping in the Red Sea. The incident resulted in the deaths of four crew members—as well as two Yemeni armed forces personnel. Additionally, several others sustained injuries during the rescue efforts.
The Coast Guard reported that while rescue operations were underway, the Houthi militia launched another missile at the Tihamah, resulting in further casualties. Shortly after the attacks, a Houthi remote-controlled vessel was intercepted while trying to approach the ship. Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the assault, noting that the ship was carrying food supplies intended for the Yemeni people.
Dominguez expressed his condolences to the families affected by the attack, highlighting the tragic loss of innocent lives in an unjustifiable assault on international shipping. He reiterated the importance of assessing risks and adhering to best management practices for maritime operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
