Yemen's Houthis Strike: Attack Two Saudi Oil Tankers, Nearly 10 Ships Turn Back

Yemen's Houthi rebels announced on Thursday morning that they had launched missile and drone attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, targeting vessels violating their maritime embargo.

Houthi spokesperson Yehia Sarea stated early that morning on Al-Masirah TV that the group used multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to strike the two Saudi oil tankers, which were breaching the Houthi maritime embargo. He claimed the attacks 'precisely hit the targets,' causing both tankers to catch fire.

The statement did not specify the exact location of the incident or whether there were any casualties.

Sarea said the Houthis had forced 'nearly 10 ships to turn back,' asserting their growing influence over Red Sea shipping lanes.

He warned that any military action by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis would trigger large-scale retaliatory strikes on deep inland targets within Saudi Arabia.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a notice on Wednesday, reporting that at around 4:00 a.m. Taiwan time on Thursday, they received a distress call from the captain of an oil tanker that had been struck by an 'unidentified projectile,' causing a fire. The incident occurred approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of the Saudi coastal town of Shuqaiq.

On Sunday, the Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, warning international shipping companies that vessels trading with Saudi ports could face military attacks. The latest strikes underscore the escalating threat to global shipping and regional stability.