An Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel, Faize Noore Oliya, was sunk by a suspected Houthi bomb-boat on August 4 approximately 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah. All 14 people onboard — 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni — were rescued by forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognised government. Maritime security consultancy Windward identified the attack method. India's shipping minister condemned the attack and called for restoration of unimpeded navigation. Separately, the Houthis claimed a ballistic missile strike on the Bahri-operated chemical/products tanker NCC Wafa off Yanbu, which they described as part of a maritime blockade that has now targeted eight Saudi tankers and turned back 29 vessels — figures not independently verified. No confirmation of damage or casualties on NCC Wafa was immediately available.
Context
The sinking adds a cargo vessel casualty to a campaign that, since late July, has included attacks on at least eight Saudi oil tankers and a Houthi denial of plans to impose transit fees.
