Houthis Launch Missile at Israeli-Owned Tanker Near Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port
On Monday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced they fired a missile targeting the Liberia-flagged Israeli-owned tanker named “Scarlet Ray” near Yanbu, a key port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. The British maritime security company Ambrey reported that the tanker experienced an explosion nearby, about 40 nautical miles southwest of Yanbu.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) conveyed that one vessel in the area saw a splash close to its position from an unidentified projectile, followed by a loud bang. Fortunately, the crew on board the vessel remained unharmed, and the ship proceeded with its journey.
Further assessment by Ambrey suggested that the tanker’s ownership aligned with the typical targets of Yemen’s Houthis, who have been carrying out attacks against ships they associate with Israel. Since 2023, these attacks have intensified in the Red Sea, with the Houthis stating they are in support of Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that has been involved in Yemen since 2015, aiming to support Yemen’s Gulf-backed government against the Houthis, who seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The coalition has repeatedly intercepted attempts by the Houthis to attack vessels using explosive-laden boats.
This latest missile attack underscores ongoing tensions and the volatile security situation in the Red Sea maritime corridor, vital for global shipping.
