Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Houthis Strike Saudi Ship, Military Sites in Red Sea
There is a big war happening in a country called Yemen.
In this war, a group called the Houthis is fighting against Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government.
The Houthis say they attacked a Saudi military ship in the Red Sea and some military places on land.
They used rockets and flying machines called drones.
A few days before that, a small ship carrying food was hit by missiles in the sea.
The ship caught fire, and sadly six people died, including people who came to help.
The Yemeni government says the Houthis did it and that they hit the ship twice on purpose.
The leader of the Yemeni government said the Houthis must stop fighting and join peaceful talks instead.
People do not all agree about who owned the food ship, which makes the story more confusing.
Many people hope the fighting will stop soon so everyone can be safe.
Houthis announced strikes on a Saudi military transport vessel in the Red Sea and on Saudi-backed positions in the Mocha area and the Tadawin camp in Marib Governorate.
The group said ballistic missile and drone strikes on troop concentrations, weapons depots, and command centres caused dozens of casualties, including Saudis.
Yemen's PLC chairman Rashad al-Alimi vowed that Houthi actions 'will not go unanswered or unchecked' and urged the group to lay down arms and join the political process.
The announcement follows a 'double-tap' missile strike on the Tihamah cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait that killed at least six people, including two rescue workers.
Ownership of the Tihamah was disputed: Yemeni officials and marine intelligence group Marisks reported it as Saudi-owned, while MarineTraffic data showed it under a Tanzanian flag with Egyptian and Yemeni owners.
- Who
- Yemen's Houthi rebels announced the strikes, while Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, vowed a response.
- What
- Houthi missile and drone strikes on a Saudi military transport vessel in the Red Sea and Saudi-backed military positions, following a fatal 'double-tap' strike on the Tihamah cargo ship.
- When
- The Houthi announcement came on Wednesday (local time); the Al-Mokha barrage occurred on August 9, and the Tihamah strike took place days earlier.
- Where
- The Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Mocha area, the Tadawin camp in Marib Governorate, and the port of Al-Mokha in southwestern Yemen.
- Why
- The Houthis said they are targeting Saudi troop concentrations that they accuse of escalating tensions, while Yemeni officials blame the Iran-backed group for attacks on shipping and demand an end to the fighting.
Houthi rebels
Yemeni government and its backers
Legitimacy of the strikes
Houthi rebels
Houthis say the strikes were 'precise' and successfully targeted Saudi enemy troop concentrations, weapons depots, and command centres that are escalating tensions.
Yemeni government and its backers
Yemen's internationally recognised government calls the attacks unacceptable militia actions; al-Alimi vowed that 'no action by the Houthi militias will go unanswered or unchecked.'
Path to resolving the conflict
Houthi rebels
The Houthis say they will continue operations against all Saudi troop concentrations and warn those collaborating with their adversaries to stop before it is too late.
Yemeni government and its backers
PLC chairman al-Alimi urged the Houthis to lay down their arms, engage in political life, and compete through the ballot box, saying there is still an opportunity.
Ownership of the Tihamah vessel
Houthi rebels
Yemeni officials and marine intelligence group Marisks reported that the targeted vessel was Saudi-owned.
Yemeni government and its backers
Data from MarineTraffic showed the Tihamah was sailing under the Tanzanian flag and owned by companies registered in Egypt and Yemen.
- Attacker
- Yemen's Houthi rebels, blamed by the Yemeni government for the Tihamah strike and described by officials as Iran-backed
- Targets
- Saudi military transport vessel in the Red Sea; Mocha area, Tadawin camp in Marib Governorate, and Al-Mokha port
- Tihamah strike casualties
- At least 6 killed — 4 crew (3 Pakistani, 1 Indonesian) and 2 rescue workers; 4 crew and 1 rescue worker injured
- Vessel
- Tihamah, a small cargo ship transporting food, reportedly sailing under the Tanzanian flag
- Weapons used
- Ballistic missiles and drones
- Al-Mokha barrage date
- August 9
- Disputed ownership
- Yemeni officials and Marisks reported the vessel as Saudi-owned; MarineTraffic data showed Egyptian and Yemeni registered owners
- Government response
- PLC chairman Rashad al-Alimi said attacks 'will not go unanswered or unchecked' and called on the Houthis to join political life
