Houthis Attack Ship Off Yanbu Port, Disrupting Red Sea Oil Exports

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on a vessel off Saudi Arabia's port city of Yanbu, according to comments made by their military spokesperson Yahya Saree. In a televised speech, Saree stated that the group had attacked a ship in this area. The Saudi Center for International Communication has not commented on the incident.

The UKMTO agency reported earlier in the day that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu. Fortunately, all crew members were safe and accounted for with no environmental impact reported.

This is the latest in a series of attacks carried out by the Houthis on Saudi oil facilities and shipping in the Red Sea. The group declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the area last month, disrupting shipping from Yanbu which has become a key route for exporting Saudi oil. In July, the Houthis claimed to have targeted Saudi oil giant Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

The region's strategic significance is evident, with millions of barrels of oil being loaded at Yanbu daily. The port city serves as an alternative route for Saudi oil exports, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz which has been blockaded by Iran.