Houthis Claim Missile Strikes On Saudi Oil Tankers

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for targeting two Saudi oil tankers with ballistic missiles in the Gulf of Aden and the northern Red Sea.

The first attack was reported on a tanker identified as 'Daisy' in the Gulf of Aden, with Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stating that the tanker was hit and forced to turn back.

Sarea said the attack was part of the group's declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under a 'blockade-for-blockade' policy. The Houthi forces are closely monitoring Saudi oil tankers and will block their passage through the southern and northern Red Sea until the blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.

Earlier in the day, the Houthis claimed to have targeted another Saudi oil tanker, 'Wafa', with several ballistic missiles off the Saudi port city of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. Sarea described the strike as 'precise', but did not provide further details.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker had heard a loud explosion nearby while sailing in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's southern coast, with all crew members safe. The tanker, 'Daisy', changed course and went dark shortly after the incident.

The attacks are part of an escalating crisis in the Red Sea, with the Houthis seeking to disrupt Saudi oil shipments in response to a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The conflict has significant implications for regional tensions and global oil markets.

The Houthi group has been backed by Iran, and their actions have been seen as a proxy for Iranian influence in the region. The attacks on Saudi oil tankers have raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the Red Sea and the potential for further escalation.

The international community has called for calm and restraint in the region, with efforts underway to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means. However, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further attacks and escalation.

The Red Sea is a critical shipping lane, with many oil tankers and other vessels passing through the region. The disruption to shipping in the area has significant implications for global trade and the economy.

In conclusion, the Houthi group's claims of missile strikes on Saudi oil tankers have escalated the crisis in the Red Sea and raised concerns about regional tensions and global oil markets. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further attacks and escalation.