Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker. However, Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed the attack.
A Houthi military spokesman stated that a ballistic missile was fired at the Saudi-owned oil tanker ‘Amjan’ near the coast of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
The spokesman claimed the missile struck the vessel directly, igniting a major fire on board. However, no independent details regarding the extent of the damage, casualties, or the status of the fire have been obtained.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an oil tanker had been damaged by an unidentified object approximately 63 nautical miles (about 117 kilometers) west of the port of Yanbu. An investigation into the incident is underway.
In recent times, there has been an increase in Houthi claims of attacks targeting Saudi-owned and Saudi-linked oil tankers. Since late July, the group has declared a so-called naval blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. They have since claimed responsibility for attacks on multiple tankers; international maritime security agencies have also reported fires breaking out on vessels during some of these incidents.
The Yanbu region of Saudi Arabia is a hub for the country’s critical oil transport infrastructure. Consequently, an attack on an oil tanker in this area could spark regional tensions and raise fresh concerns regarding international energy supplies and maritime trade.
