Houthi Rebels Claim Attack on Saudi Oil Tanker in Red Sea

Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea. According to the Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, the tanker, NCC GHAZAL, had violated a maritime navigation ban imposed by the group and refused warning calls.

The Houthi claim is supported by maritime intelligence firm Windward, which says the tanker showed 'high-risk Red Sea behavior' in the weeks leading up to the attack. This included a seven-day AIS blackout off the Yemen coast, multiple ship-to-ship transfers, and repeated destination changes.

The attack adds to growing tensions in the region, with the US Central Command reporting that Iranian forces launched multiple ballistic missiles at US bases across the Middle East in what it described as a surprise attack. The US and Saudi forces responded with 'precision strikes' against terrorist logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq.