Houthi Forces Target Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea
Houthi forces have reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in separate incidents off the coasts of Yemen and the Gulf of Aden, according to a statement from the group's military spokesperson. The attacks targeted the Wafa and Daisy vessels, with Saree stating that the Houthi aim is to prevent Saudi oil shipments through the northern Red Sea.
The attacks follow the diversion of Saudi tankers towards the area after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, which has affected Saudi Arabia's main maritime route. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean, is now a key passage for Saudi crude exports.
Kpler data shows that Saudi seaborne crude exports through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait increased eightfold between March and mid-July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The attacks have been attributed to the Houthi group's response to what they describe as a Saudi siege on Yemen.