Egypt condemns attack on Yemeni vessel TIHAMA in Bab El-Mandeb

CAIRO - 13 August 2026: Egypt on Thursday condemned attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea, including the Yemeni commercial vessel TIHAMA, which was flying the Tanzanian flag when it came under a missile attack this week.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the TIHAMA was targeted by several missiles while sailing off the Yemeni coast, south of Al-Mokha port, in Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Egypt also condemned the July 25 attack on a Saudi oil tanker, describing the attacks as a serious threat to the security and safety of navigation in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important international waterways.

Egypt reaffirmed its categorical rejection of all acts targeting ships and civilian facilities or threatening the security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and other international waterways.

It stressed the vital importance of respecting, guaranteeing and protecting freedom of international navigation in all straits and international waterways in a manner that safeguards international trade and global supply chains in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The commercial vessel TIHAMA (IMO: 1031329) came under “repeated attacks” by Houthi missiles while sailing through Bab El-Mandeb on Tuesday morning, according to Yemen Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said the attack, as well as a subsequent assault on crews involved in rescue efforts, resulted in deaths and injuries among the vessel’s crew and Yemeni forces.

Six people were killed, including four crew members — three Pakistanis and one Indonesian — while 10 others were injured, including seven crew members, according to the Coast Guard tally.

Early on Thursday, Egypt’s Transport Ministry denied any links for Egypt with TIHAMA, in response to media claims that the address of the company operating the targeted vessel is located in Alexandria.

Several news websites had cited Reuters as reporting that the vessel is Egyptian-owned.

The ministry clarified that the vessel is registered under the Tanzanian flag and is owned by a Yemeni national.

A screenshot from Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reporting the targeting of a vessel it claimed was Saudi and carrying military equipment, while showing a photo of the TIHAMA. Egypt said the vessel is Yemeni-owned, operated by Blue Sea for Management Marine through its Dubai branch, and flies the Tanzanian flag.

The ship is operated by Blue Sea for Management Marine through its Dubai branch, which is neither registered with Egypt’s maritime chambers nor licensed by the Egyptian Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector to conduct maritime agency activities, the ministry noted.

It also highlighted that the vessel had never previously entered Egyptian waters, was not en route to Egypt, and was not carrying any cargo belonging to Egyptians.