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🇶🇦 Qatar /Conflict & Security

Yemen's Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi oil tanker

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claims to have fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, the NCC Ghazal, for violating a maritime blockade.
  • The Houthi military spokesman stated the missile attack forced the vessel to retreat, while maritime security reported an explosion on a tanker in the Red Sea with no crew or environmental damage.
  • This incident follows the Houthis' declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, accusing Saudi Arabia of imposing an unjust siege on Yemen.

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker, the NCC Ghazal, asserting the vessel violated a maritime blockade imposed by the group. Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, announced the operation via X, stating the attack forced the tanker to retreat.

carried out a military operation targeting the Saudi oil tanker (NCC GHAZAL) for violating the maritime navigation ban

— Yahya SareeAnnouncing the Houthi missile attack on the Saudi oil tanker.

This action escalates tensions in the Red Sea, a critical global shipping route. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed a tanker experienced an explosion while transiting the area, but reported the crew was safe and no environmental damage occurred. The Houthis previously declared a naval blockade on Saudi vessels on July 20, citing Saudi Arabia's "unjust and oppressive siege" on Yemen and asserting their right to retaliate with a blockade.

the group had used several ballistic missiles and forced the vessel to retreat.

— Yahya SareeDescribing the outcome of the missile attack.

Last week, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for attacking two other Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, for allegedly violating the blockade. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed the Encelia was hit, but reported all crew members were safe. The Bab al-Mandeb strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a vital chokepoint for global oil exports, with approximately 5% of the world's total oil passing through it in 2024.

We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named Encelia and Layla, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces

— Yahya SareeClaiming responsibility for a previous attack on two Saudi oil tankers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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