Houthi Rebels Launch Deadly Attack, Hormuz Strait Also Shut... What Comes Next in Iran-US War?

Yemen: An attack by Houthi rebels on a commercial ship near Yemen's Bab al-Mandeb strait caused panic. The ship's crew, three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national, were killed in the attack. Meanwhile, 10 other people are said to be injured. This is believed to be the first major fatal incident related to Houthi attack at sea after the war between Iran and America.

Yemen's transport ministry confirmed the attack on Tuesday. According to the ministry, Houthi fighters targeted the Egyptian-owned cargo ship 'Tihama' in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The crew aboard the ship lost control after the attack.

The team that arrived for rescue was also attacked

After the incident, the rescue team was sent to the spot. According to Yemen's coast guard agency, Houthi fighters reportedly attacked again during the rescue operation. Two rescue workers from the anti-Huthi National Resistance Force were also killed.

There is information that a total of 10 people were injured in this attack. The injured included seven members of the ship's crew, two Coast Guard personnel and a member of the National Resistance Force.

What happened near Perim Island?

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), associated with the British Navy, reported that a ship was attacked by an unidentified object near Bab el-Mandeb. According to maritime security company Embre, the ship was anchored off the north-eastern part of Perim Island at the time.

Reuters has identified it as 'Tihama' based on photographs of the ship. According to Embrey, the ship did not belong to Saudi Arabia but was being operated by Egyptian companies.

Which ship did the Houthis claim to have targeted?

Houthi rebels claimed they targeted a ship carrying Saudi military equipment in the Bab al-Mandeb. However, his statement did not reveal the name of the ship.

The Houthis had earlier announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea on July 20. After this, the number of ships passing through this route has also decreased.

Why did the movement of ships also decrease in Hormuz?

Apart from Bab al-Mandeb, the effect of tension is also clearly visible in the Strait of Hormuz. In another incident, Panama-flagged container ship 'Vela Nova' was targeted by a missile while heading towards the Gulf of Oman near the coast of Pakistan.

According to the report, an American helicopter fired a Hellfire missile at a ship trying to escape the blockade of ships belonging to Iran.

The situation in Hormuz has deteriorated so much that the movement of ships has reduced considerably. Before the war, about 130 to 140 ships passed through this route daily. Now this number has come down considerably.

What effect will increasing tension have on the world?

Both Bab al-Mandeb and Hormuz are vital sea routes for international trade. If tension continues here for a long time, ships may have to go through other routes. This may increase travel time and freight costs.

The biggest concern is regarding the supply of oil. A large amount of crude oil is traded through Hormuz. In such a situation, increasing obstruction on sea routes may have an impact on crude oil prices, shipping costs and markets around the world.