Houthi forces claim missile strike on Saudi oil tanker

Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for firing ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, according to statements made on Tuesday. The Iran-backed militant group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has repeatedly targeted maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent years, citing the Saudi-led military campaign against them as justification for the attacks.

The Houthis have escalated their maritime operations significantly since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, claiming they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians. Their attacks have disrupted international shipping lanes and heightened tensions in one of the world’s most critical waterways for global energy supplies.

Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition that has been conducting airstrikes in Yemen since 2015, has not yet issued an official response to Tuesday’s claim. However, the kingdom has previously invested heavily in air defence systems to protect its oil infrastructure from similar attacks.

The incident reflects the broader instability affecting Yemen’s coastline, where various armed groups, including the Houthis, have competed for control and influence. International observers have expressed concern about the environmental and economic risks posed by attacks on oil tankers in the region, particularly the potential for major spills.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.