Yemen's Huthis Assert Responsibility for Attacks on Eight Saudi Oil Tankers Amid Ongoing Maritime Blockade

The navigation bridge of a sunken vessel is visible in the Port of Mokha following an attack by the Huthis on the city of Mokha, which is controlled by Yemen's internationally recognized, Aden-based government, on August 10. (Photo by Khaled Ziad/AFP/Getty Images)

Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthis announced today that they have targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since late July, following the militant group's declaration of a maritime blockade targeting Saudi shipping lanes, according to the Huthi-run Saba news agency.

“Since July 20, we have targeted 8 Saudi oil tankers, 5 in the Red Sea and 3 in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea,” the group stated, as reported by Saba. Furthermore, the news agency cited the Huthis as claiming that nearly 50 Saudi oil tankers were “prevented from transiting the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea and forced to return.”

Saba also stated that the group claimed responsibility for sinking two military landing ships near Mokha, allegedly carrying Saudi weapons, alongside more than 10 warships belonging to Saudi forces, though no evidence was provided. CNN has been unable to independently verify these claims, and Saudi authorities have not yet issued an immediate comment.

Clashes have escalated significantly in recent weeks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—a vital maritime chokepoint situated at the southern end of the Red Sea—following the Huthis' declaration of a blockade against vessels from Saudi Arabia, which serves as the primary backer of Yemen's government forces. On Monday, the Huthi group reported launching attacks against what they identified as a Saudi military landing ship and four escort vessels located in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen’s port city of Mokha, following a weekend of heightened regional tensions.