# Houthi attacks on Gulf shipping

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-on-gulf-shipping
> Updated: 2026-08-04T14:54:54.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 2.

On 4 August 2026 a series of Houthi‑linked drone attacks struck commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea. An early report described a Greek‑managed bulk carrier, the Liberian‑flagged Minoan Pioneer, hit near the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire and leaving its third engineer missing. In the same period an Indian‑registered cargo ship was struck off Yemen, prompting the rescue of its 14 crew members.

A later report confirmed that the Indian‑flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and sank after being hit by a small explosive drone boat south of Al Hudaydah. All crew were rescued by Yemen’s National Resistance Forces, Coast Guard and Navy and taken to Mokha. India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Transport Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack, calling for stronger protection of navigation through the Bab al‑Mandab strait. The incident, suspected to involve an Iranian‑manufactured drone, was the first foreign‑flagged ship sunk in the Red Sea since the Houthi group began threatening Saudi navigation, raising concerns about a possible closure of the Bab al‑Mandab and its impact on global trade.

## Claims

- The Indian‑flagged cargo ship Faize Noore Oliya was attacked and sank in the Red Sea off Yemen. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- All 14 crew members, mostly Indian nationals, were rescued with no fatalities. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The sinking is the first foreign‑flagged vessel sunk in the Red Sea since the Houthi group began threatening Saudi navigation. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The vessel was heading to deliver cargo to the Yemeni port of Mokha. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The attack was carried out by a small explosive drone boat of Iranian manufacture, suspected to be used by the Houthi militia. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The incident raised concerns that the Bab al‑Mandab strait could be effectively closed, affecting global trade and energy prices. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- China reportedly contacted the Houthi group to prevent attacks on its vessels and ensure safe passage. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The vessel was attacked about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah (Hodeidah). (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Yemen’s National Resistance Forces conducted the joint rescue operation for the crew. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and called for free navigation of international waterways. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Saudi Arabia announced a multinational maritime security alliance with 14 countries to protect shipping lanes. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Indian‑Flagged Cargo Vessel Sinks After Red Sea Attack, Crew Rescued

An Indian‑flagged cargo ship was attacked and sank off Yemen on 4 Aug 2026; all 14 crew (13 Indians, 1 Yemeni) were rescued. India condemned the Houthi‑linked drone boat attack, raising fears for Bab al‑Mandab.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-cargo-ship-sinks-after-boatbomb-attack-off-yemen

### 2026-08-04: Maritime attacks strike Greek and Indian commercial vessels in Gulf region

Greek bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer was attacked near Hormuz, an Indian ship sank off Yemen, and Saudi Najran airport was disabled by a Houthi drone, underscoring rising maritime threats in the Gulf region.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maritime-attacks-strike-greek-and-indian-commercial-vessels-in-gulf-region

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Cite as: Houthi attacks on Gulf shipping. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-on-gulf-shipping