Published on: 2026-08-13
Source: United Nations
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August 12, 2026 Peace and Security
A strike on a commercial vessel off the southern coast of Yemen, which reportedly killed several sailors on Tuesday, has once again called into question the stability of global trade. The incident occurred amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which has already severely disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, called the attack “unjustified” and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
The strike targeted the cargo vessel Tihamah, which is reportedly attributed to the Yemeni Houthis. According to international maritime registers, the vessel sails under the flag of Tanzania.
According to Dominguez, particular concern is caused by the fact that the attack occurred in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden area. “Ongoing attacks on ships only contribute to further escalating tensions and put global supply chains at risk,” he emphasized.
The long-standing conflict in Yemen
The Houthi movement “Ansar Allah,” supported by Iran, has been engaging in combat against Yemen’s government forces, backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, for more than ten years.
For several years, the group has threatened to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait – one of the most important sea routes leading to the Red Sea – and regularly attacks commercial ships. After the war between Israel and HAMAS began in October 2023, the Houthis declared that they are striking ships in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.
According to media reports, on July 23, representatives of Ansar Allah also announced an attack on two Saudi oil tankers.
After these strikes, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the renewed attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and new threats to the freedom of maritime navigation.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a halt
The attack on Tihamah occurred against the backdrop of a continued sharp reduction in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a strategically important waterway linking the countries of the Persian Gulf, including Iran and Oman, with global markets.
According to the latest data from the IMO, only about seven ships passed through the strait on Sunday – nearly 20 times less than the average daily figure before the war began.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, related to the strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, as well as Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on the countries of the Persian Gulf and Jordan, has led to a sharp reduction in exports of key goods, including oil, gas, and raw materials for fertilizer production, as well as to an increase in their prices.
Evacuation of sailors suspended
Due to ongoing hostilities, the implementation of the plan to evacuate sailors under the auspices of the IMO has been suspended.
According to available data, almost six months after the escalation of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz area, there are still about 500 vessels and 6,000 crew members remaining. By now, approximately 2,900 people have been evacuated.
According to data from the IMO monitoring system, since the beginning of March, 65 incidents have been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 17 sailors.
In his statement, Arsenio Dominguez also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all sailors” held captive following pirate attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region.
“Ensuring the safety of seafarers is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the entire global community,” emphasized the head of IMO.
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