Houthi Attacks on Commercial Vessels in Red Sea Likely War Crimes: Human Rights Watch

Houthi Maritime Embargo and Targeted Commercial Vessels

The Houthi campaign targeted at least two Saudi-flagged vessels, a Tanzania-flagged vessel, and a Dominica-flagged vessel during July and August 2026. As of August 24, the Houthis claimed responsibility for hitting at least nine ships since the embargo began. Saudi and Yemeni authorities, a shipping company, and a ship’s master confirmed four of those strikes involving the vessels Encelia, Daisy, Tihamah, and Amzan. According to Human Rights Watch Yemen and Bahrain researcher Niku Jafarnia, the attacks put civilian mariners at deadly risk. Jafarnia stated that attacks on civilian crews carried out deliberately or recklessly constitute war crimes, regardless of broader geopolitical conflicts. International humanitarian law requires warring parties to confirm that a target is military before attacking and to take precautions to minimize civilian harm.

Confirmed Incidents and Casualties in the Red Sea

On July 23, 2026, the Houthis reported targeting two Saudi-flagged oil tankers the day before using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. The Saudi Press Agency, citing the Transport General Authority, confirmed that the Encelia was hit and caught fire at the bow, though all crew members remained safe. On August 5, 2026, the Dominica-flagged oil tanker Daisy sustained minor damage from a nearby explosion in the Gulf of Aden, with the crew later continuing safely to Djibouti. The most severe casualties occurred on August 11, 2026, when the Houthis targeted the Tihamah, a Tanzanian-flagged deck cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The Yemeni government Transport Ministry stated that the vessel was hit by “three consecutive ballistic missiles.” The strike killed at least four crew members, including three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian national, alongside two Yemeni Coast Guard rescuers, and injured at least 10 others. While the Houthis claimed the Tihamah was transporting Saudi military equipment, the Yemeni Transportation Ministry stated it was a commercial civilian vessel carrying food supplies. Human Rights Watch could not independently verify the cargo. On August 24, the Houthis announced a ballistic missile attack on the Amzan, a Saudi-flagged oil tanker. The operating company, Bahri, confirmed a security-related incident, adding that all crew members were safe and accounted for, with no reported injuries.

Legal Implications and Prior Incidents

Human Rights Watch evaluated evidence indicating the Houthis knew or should have known that the Encelia, Daisy, and Amzan were commercial vessels carrying civilians. Under international law, even if a vessel carries military equipment, attacks must adhere to proportionality rules to avoid excessive civilian damage. The organization noted that these incidents follow a pattern of Houthi maritime attacks dating back to November 2023. In a previous case, the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader, a Bahamas-registered vehicles carrier, and detained its 25-member crew for over a year. Human Rights Watch concluded that those prior actions also likely constitute war crimes, urging an immediate end to all unlawful attacks on civilian shipping.