Houthis Claim Responsibility for Attacks on Two Saudi Oil Tankers

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for attacking a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to turn back. According to Yahya Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, the attack was carried out using a ballistic missile and is part of the group's declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The 'blockade-for-blockade' policy aims to block Saudi oil tankers from passing through the southern and northern Red Sea until what they call a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.

The Houthis claimed another attack on a Saudi vessel, identified as 'Wafa', with several ballistic missiles off the Saudi port city of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. However, there was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on either claim, which could not be independently verified.

This comes amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea on July 20, citing an alleged Saudi blockade on Houthi-held areas.