Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa
Sanaa, Aug 5: Yemen's Houthi group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea, as it vowed to intensify its campaign against Saudi-linked shipping amid escalating regional tensions.
In a televised statement aired on 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 Red Sea port city.
"The strike was precise," Sarea claimed, without disclosing details of any damage or casualties. He said the attack was part of the group's declared maritime campaign against Saudi-linked shipping, describing it as a "blockade-for-blockade" response.
According to Sarea, the latest operation brings the number of Saudi oil tankers targeted by Houthi forces to eight since the campaign began, while 29 other tankers were forced to turn back. The claims could not be independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not issued an immediate response.
The latest claim comes amid heightened tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The group announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping in July, citing what it described as a Saudi blockade on Houthi-controlled areas.
The renewed hostilities have raised concerns over the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's busiest international shipping 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, calling it 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 was coordinating with the relevant Indian authorities while extending necessary support to the rescued crew members.
"The Houthi terrorist attack targeting the Indian commercial cargo vessel 'MSV Faize Noore Oliya' using an explosive-laden boat, resulting in the vessel's complete sinking, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and poses a direct threat to maritime security and freedom of navigation," the ministry said.
The statement came a day after India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack 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 coordinating with the Yemeni authorities. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support," the MEA said.
The MEA also expressed concern over continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region, stressing that such incidents must end and that free, safe and unimpeded navigation through international waterways should be restored in accordance with international law.