Yemen's Houthi rebels on August 29 claimed they had launched a ballistic missile attack on the Saudi oil tanker "Amzan" off the port city of Yanbu in the Red Sea. The incident is the latest in a series of actions targeting Saudi assets by the group, raising fears that tensions could escalate across the region.
The Houthi military spokesperson said the vessel, owned by Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri, "was targeted off the coast of Yanbu with a ballistic missile." In a statement, the group described the attack as "part of the decision to ban navigation of the Saudi enemy" and asserted that the strike was "accurate and direct, causing a fire on the ship and forcing several other vessels in the area to flee."
Bahri later confirmed that the ship "Amzan" had suffered a maritime incident in the Red Sea. The company said it remained in contact with the vessel and was coordinating closely with relevant authorities, emphasizing that all crew members were safe with no casualties reported. "The safety of our people, protecting the marine environment, and the safe management of the vessel remain our top priorities," Bahri's statement read.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) earlier on the same day reported that a tanker had been struck by an unknown object approximately 63 nautical miles (117 km) west of Yanbu. No official confirmation has yet come from Saudi authorities; Al Jazeera said its request for comment from the Saudi foreign ministry received no response.
Yanbu is Saudi Arabia's main oil export port on the Red Sea, handling millions of barrels daily. The port has become a key route for Saudi tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, which has been threatened by Iran. However, shipping around Yanbu has been disrupted since last month when the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels and began launching attacks.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have killed seven people at a port in Yemen and targeted an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. They also killed at least six and wounded ten others in a dual attack on a cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
