Sanaa (HRNW)- Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group has claimed responsibility for targeting a Saudi oil tanker with ballistic missiles near the coast of the Saudi city of Yanbu in the Red Sea.
According to the foreign news agency AFP, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement that Houthi forces fired several ballistic missiles at the Saudi oil tanker “Wafa”, claiming the vessel was successfully hit.
According to Yahya Saree, the operation is part of the group’s ongoing campaign against Saudi-linked shipping routes in the Red Sea. He further claimed that the tanker was the eighth vessel targeted since the group’s declared naval blockade began on July 22.
The Houthi spokesman said the group’s operations would continue until the objectives of its announced naval blockade are achieved.
There has been no official confirmation or denial of the alleged attack from the Saudi Arabian government or relevant maritime authorities. No official information has been released regarding possible damage to the oil tanker or the condition of its crew.
The reported incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of international shipping and global energy supplies in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
According to defence and maritime experts, continued attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea could significantly affect the global energy market, shipping insurance costs, and international maritime trade.
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