Houthis Strike Saudi Tanker Near Yanbu Port in Escalating Maritime Dispute

The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for firing ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, Wafa, near the port city of Yanbu on August 5. According to Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesman, the vessel was targeted near the port city.

This is the eighth Saudi tanker the Houthis have claimed to target since declaring a maritime blockade on July 22. The Houthis claim this is in response to what they call a Saudi siege of Yemen, which Riyadh rejects.

Yanbu has become Saudi Arabia's main outlet for oil exports after the Strait of Hormuz was closed to international shipping. This means that securing passage through the strait is no longer enough, but the entire length of the voyage must be secured as well.