Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Tanker Vefa with Ballistic Missiles in Red Sea
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Iran-backed Houthi forces struck a Saudi oil tanker, the Vefa, with multiple ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea off Yanbu. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Seri claimed the attack was part of a "blockade-for-blockade" campaign in response to Saudi restrictions on Houthi-held areas. The strike is the latest in a series of Houthi maritime attacks, including the targeting of two Saudi tankers on July 22.
The Attack
Houthi forces fired multiple ballistic missiles at the Vefa oil tanker in the northern Red Sea near Yanbu, according to Yahya Seri, a spokesman for the group. The vessel, owned by Saudi Arabia, was reportedly targeted as part of an escalation in maritime hostilities. Seri stated the attack was executed under the "blockade for blockade" doctrine, which the Houthis announced on July 20. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were provided, though similar strikes on July 22 caused fires on two Saudi tankers.
Maritime Escalation
The incident follows a July 20 declaration by the Houthis of a "sea navigation ban" in response to what they claim is a Saudi blockade on Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen. On July 22, the group claimed to have struck two Saudi oil tankers with ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in fires aboard the vessels. The Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since 2014, have intensified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in recent weeks. These actions have raised fears of broader disruption to one of the world’s key maritime trade routes.
What's Next
The Saudi-led coalition has not yet issued a response to the latest strike, but maritime security analysts warn that the recurring attacks threaten to destabilize shipping in the Red Sea corridor. It remains unclear whether the coalition will retaliate with further military action or seek diplomatic avenues to de-escalate.
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Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Tanker Vefa with Ballistic Missiles in Red Sea
