Houthis Claim Missile Struck Saudi Tanker in Red Sea, Causing Fire
Yemen's Houthi forces on Monday claimed they had struck a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile, as the group steps up its maritime campaign against the kingdom.
In a statement, the Houthis said the strike was "accurate and direct," causing a fire to break out on the vessel and forcing other ships in the area to flee. The attack, they said, was part of their decision to "ban maritime navigation by the Saudi enemy."
The claim came hours after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker had been hit by an "unknown projectile" off Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. The agency said a fire broke out on the main deck, but all crew were safe and accounted for, with no environmental impact reported.
The incident took place about 63 nautical miles west of the Saudi city of Yanbu, which lies several hundred kilometres north of Yemen, according to the UKMTO. British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech also said a Saudi-flagged vessel had been struck by a missile and caught fire.
There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities or the vessel's operator. Independent verification of the Houthi claim was not immediately available.
The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping since declaring a maritime blockade of the kingdom last month. The group has also fired at Saudi oil infrastructure and airports in recent weeks, according to reports.
The latest escalation follows a breakdown of a 2022 truce between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Hostilities resumed in July after the rebels welcomed an Iranian plane in the capital, Sanaa, leading to a series of tit-for-tat attacks.
Yemen has been mired in civil war for over a decade. The Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa and significant territory in the west and north, has been fighting the internationally recognised government, which has been supported by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The conflict has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and reliant on aid.
The Red Sea is a critical shipping lane for global oil and trade. Attacks on vessels in the area raise concerns about stability and energy security. The Houthis have previously used ballistic missiles and armed drones in their military operations.
The British maritime agency's report did not name the vessel or its flag, but identified its location. It advised ships to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
This is a developing story. More details are expected as authorities respond.
