Yemen’s Houthi rebels stated on Thursday that they launched attacks against two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group did not specify the extent of the damage or the exact location of the incidents. Regional maritime authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the vessels or reported any casualties following the claim.
In a concurrent development, the United States military conducted its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes against Houthi targets. U.S. officials stated the strikes are intended to degrade the group's ability to attack international shipping lanes. The U.S. Central Command has maintained that these actions are defensive measures aimed at protecting global commerce.
The escalation in the Red Sea comes amid broader regional tensions involving Iran and its affiliated groups. Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition against the Houthis in Yemen's long-standing civil war, has recently explored alternative oil export routes to bypass volatile maritime chokepoints. Neither the Saudi government nor the companies operating the tankers have issued an official response to the specific claim of the attack.