Houthis Attack Saudi Oil Tanker in Red Sea Amid Energy Export Disruptions

The Houthi armed group in Yemen has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker, the Amzan, off the coast of Yanbu in the Red Sea. The vessel belongs to Bahri, a Saudi national shipping company.

A Houthi military spokesperson said the tanker was targeted with a ballistic missile, but Bahri released a statement confirming only that their ship was involved in a maritime incident and that all crew members were safe.

The attack is part of the Houthis' efforts to limit Saudi energy exports via the Red Sea, which has been disrupted since last month when they declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels. Yanbu is Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil port, where millions of barrels are usually loaded daily.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu.