Houthis Claim Missile Strike on Saudi Oil Tanker in Red Sea
Houthi rebels claim a ballistic missile struck a Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu, causing a deck fire but no casualties.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a Saudi crude oil tanker in the northern Red Sea, an incident that has heightened tensions in the vital shipping lane.
In a statement released on Monday, the group's military spokesperson, Brigadier Yahya Saree, said the vessel — identified as the Amzan — was targeted off the coast of Yanbu, a major Saudi port city. He described the strike as "precise and direct," asserting that a ballistic missile had been used.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) reported that the attack occurred approximately 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu. The strike ignited a fire on the tanker's main deck, though no casualties have been reported.
The incident is the latest in a series of recent attacks by the Houthis on Saudi vessels, underscoring the ongoing regional conflict. The rebels, who have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, have repeatedly targeted Saudi shipping in what they describe as retaliation for the coalition's military campaign.