Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Tankers in Escalating Conflict

The Houthi movement in Yemen has escalated its conflict with Saudi Arabia by claiming to have struck two Saudi oil tankers on Wednesday. According to their official statement, Houthi forces launched ballistic missile attacks against the vessels, targeting one off the western port city of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea and another in the Gulf of Aden.

The Iran-backed Yemeni movement has vowed to continue its operations and impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the southern Red Sea. This move is aimed at preventing Saudi oil tankers from passing through the strait, which serves as a key route for crude exports from the kingdom.

The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has been ongoing since 2015, with the latter providing military support to the Yemeni government against the Houthi movement. The recent escalation of hostilities jeopardizes Riyadh's ability to export crude oil, which is a significant concern for global shipping and energy markets.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed that their forces successfully targeted the Saudi oil tanker Wafa in the northern Red Sea using multiple ballistic missiles, achieving a direct hit. The Houthis claim to have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi ports, forcing ships to redirect toward northern waters.