Houthis Step Up Red Sea Attacks on Saudi Oil Tankers

The Houthi rebels have escalated their campaign against Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, claiming responsibility for another attack on Wednesday. According to a statement from Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, the group struck the Saudi tanker Wafa with 'a number of ballistic missiles' off Yanbu in the northern Red Sea.

This is the eighth Saudi oil tanker targeted by the Houthis since their campaign began in late July. The group claims that 29 Saudi tankers have been forced to turn back in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, although these figures could not be independently verified.

The Houthis said their operations will continue and escalate in targeting Saudi oil tankers in the northern Red Sea, with the aim of closing remaining access points after traffic was diverted away from the Bab el-Mandeb.