Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group has claimed responsibility for firing ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, escalating tensions in the Red Sea. The attack comes over a week after the group imposed a naval blockade on Saudi vessels.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on X that the group targeted the Saudi tanker NCC GHAZAL for violating the maritime navigation ban. He stated that multiple ballistic missiles were used, forcing the vessel to retreat.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker experienced an explosion while transiting the Red Sea, confirming the crew's safety and no environmental damage.

The Houthis, who seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, have been fighting the internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, for over a decade. On July 20, the group declared a maritime blockade, accusing Saudi leaders of imposing an unjust siege on Yemen for nearly 12 years.

The Houthis also claimed attacks on two other Saudi oil tankers last week, with Saudi Press Agency confirming that the Encelia was hit but all crew members were safe.

The Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, saw approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined products transit in 2024, accounting for about 5% of the global total.

Source: www.aljazeera.com