Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Tanker with Ballistic Missile

The Houthi movement in Yemen has escalated its maritime campaign against Saudi-linked shipping routes. According to Yahya Saree, Houthi military spokesperson, a ballistic missile strike hit the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa off the coast of Yanbu on August 13, 2026. This attack is part of a wider effort to disrupt Saudi maritime operations in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Houthis claim this is the eighth Saudi oil tanker targeted since their blockade campaign began on July 22. They allege that 29 Saudi oil tankers have either been forced to retreat or prevented from crossing strategic waterways, compelling shipping companies to reroute toward the northern Red Sea.