On July 29, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group carried out a military operation targeting the Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL, alleging the vessel violated a maritime navigation ban imposed on Saudi ships. According to Saree, the attack used multiple ballistic missiles and forced the tanker to reverse course.
Britain's Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) confirmed that an oil tanker reported an explosion while transiting the Red Sea. UKMTO stated the crew was safe and there were no reports of environmental damage.
Earlier, on July 20, the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, accusing Saudi leaders of imposing an "unjust and oppressive siege" on Yemen for nearly 12 years, plundering resources, and enforcing a comprehensive blockade. The group asserted "the right of the Yemeni people to respond to blockade with blockade."
This is not the first time the Houthis have targeted Saudi oil tankers. On July 22, the group claimed to have attacked two other Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, as they passed through the Red Sea, citing the same blockade violation. Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed the Encelia was hit, but all crew members were safe.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world's most crucial shipping lanes, especially for oil exports. With a narrowest width of just 29 kilometers, the strait limits traffic to two lanes for vessels entering and exiting the Suez Canal. In 2024, approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products passed through the strait, accounting for about 5% of global volume.
