Yemen’s Houthis report attack on Saudi ship

In practice, the Houthis rebel group have asserted an attack on a ⁠Saudi oil tanker off the port city of Yanbu in the Red Sea.

Key points

• When the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea, and began launching attacks, nevertheless, shipping around Yanbu ⁠has faced disruption since last month.
• Bahri afterwards issued a statement confirming that the "Amzan", was involved in a maritime incident in the Red Sea.
• An Al Jazeera request for comment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received no response.
• In recent weeks, the Houthis killed seven individuals in a Yemeni port and targeted an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia.
• Yanbu is Saudi's main Red Sea oil port, where millions of barrels a day are usually loaded.

In practice, the Yemeni group issued a statement on Monday detailing its strike on the "Amzan, " the latest targeting of Saudi assets by the Houthis in backing of Iran, and heightening fears that the US-Iran war could escalate throughout the region.

For context, a Houthi military spokesperson ⁠remarked that a vessel belonging to Saudi national shipping business Bahri "was targeted off the coast of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia with a ballistic missile".

Bahri remarked it remained in contact with the vessel and was closely coordinating with the relevant authorities. It continued that all crew members were safe and no injuries had been noted.

"The safety of our people, the protection of the maritime environment, and the safe management of the vessel remain our highest priorities, " the statement remarked.

There has been no confirmation from Saudi authorities. An Al Jazeera request for comment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received no response.

In recent weeks, the Houthis killed seven individuals in a Yemeni port and targeted an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. They additionally killed at least six residents and wounded 10 others in a double-tap strike on a cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency had remarked a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile concerning 63 nautical miles (117km) west of Yanbu.

In keeping with Iran's strategy to stem global energy supplies in a bid to pressure the US to halt hostilities, the Houthis are seeking to limit Saudi energy exports via the Red Sea.

Yanbu is Saudi's main Red Sea oil port, where millions of barrels a day are usually loaded. It has become ⁠the main route out for Saudi oil tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. It has ⁠been blockaded by Iran.

For context, the attack was "part of the implementation of the Armed Forces' decision to ban maritime navigation by the Saudi enemy, " the Houthis remarked in their statement.

"The strike was accurate and direct, resulting in a fire breaking out aboard the vessel and causing a number of other ships that were present in the target area to flee, " the release read.

Taken together, the developments around yemen's Houthis report attack on Saudi ship point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.