Houthis Claim Responsibility for Ballistic Missile Strike on Saudi Oil Tanker

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike on a Saudi oil tanker, 'Wafaa', in the northern Red Sea. According to their spokesperson, Yahya Saree, the operation was carried out with multiple ballistic missiles and was successful.

Saree stated that this latest attack brings the total number of vessels hit by Houthi forces to eight since the start of the maritime ban last month. The blockade has also resulted in 29 Saudi oil ships being forced to retreat and return from the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, he claimed.

The Houthi rebels have been targeting Saudi oil shipments as part of an escalating maritime campaign, which they say is aimed at disrupting the kingdom's economy. In response to the blockade, a defensive naval alliance was formed last week between Saudi Arabia and 13 other nations to protect commercial vessels navigating critical chokepoints.