Yemen's Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi oil tanker in Red Sea
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Sanaa: Yemen's Houthi group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea, while vowing to intensify its campaign against Saudi-linked shipping.
In a televised statement broadcast by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the oil tanker 'Wafa' was targeted with ballistic missiles off the coast of Yanbu, a major Saudi port city on the Red Sea.
"The strike was precise," Sarea said, without providing details of any damage or casualties. He described the attack as part of the group's declared maritime campaign against Saudi-linked shipping, calling it a "blockade-for-blockade" response.
According to Sarea, Houthi forces have targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since the campaign began, while 29 other tankers were forced to turn back. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Saudi authorities.
The latest claim comes amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. In July, the group announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping, citing what it called a Saudi blockade on Houthi-controlled areas.
The renewed hostilities have heightened concerns over security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the Houthi attack on the Indian commercial cargo vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya in the Red Sea, describing it as a "terrorist attack" and a "flagrant violation of international law and international maritime law."
In a statement posted on X, the ministry expressed solidarity with India and said it would continue coordinating with the relevant Indian authorities while extending all necessary support and assistance to the vessel's crew.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Republic of Yemen strongly condemns the Houthi terrorist attack targeting the Indian commercial cargo vessel 'MSV Faize Noore Oliya' using an explosive-laden boat while it was sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in the vessel's complete sinking. This constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the rules of international maritime law, and poses a direct threat to the security and safety of navigation and the freedom of trade along international waterways," the ministry said.
The statement came a day after India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged vessel and confirmed that all 13 Indian nationals on board had been rescued.
"We condemn the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, that sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen on August 4, 2026. All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued. Our Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support," the MEA said.
"The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," it added.
With IANS inputs