Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Tanker in Northern Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for striking a Saudi oil tanker off the coast of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. According to Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, several ballistic missiles hit the Wafaa tanker 'accurately' as part of their declared maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.

Saree stated that this attack is part of the group's 'blockade for blockade' strategy and vowed to intensify attacks on Saudi tankers in the area. The Houthis claim that they have targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since July 22, including the Wafaa.

The group has also asserted that their blockade around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has pushed Saudi Arabia to redirect oil tankers toward the northern Red Sea. This has made Yanbu a crucial outlet for Saudi oil exports, with seaborne crude shipments increasing eightfold between March and mid-July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

The Houthi's goal is to close maritime access routes and prevent passage of Saudi tankers, 'regardless of the consequences.' The group claims that 29 Saudi tankers have been either prevented from continuing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea or forced to turn back since the blockade began.