Houthis claim attack on Saudi vessel in Red Sea strait

The Houthi movement in Yemen said on Wednesday it had attacked a Saudi-owned commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a narrow waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

The group, which has been engaged in a years-long conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, claimed responsibility for the incident via its official media channels. It did not immediately provide details on the vessel’s identity, cargo, or the extent of any damage sustained.

The Bab el-Mandeb is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with roughly 3.8 million barrels of crude and refined products passing through daily, according to industry estimates. Disruptions in the strait have historically led to spikes in shipping costs and volatility in energy markets.

Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on the reported attack. The Houthis have previously targeted vessels in the region, citing retaliation for Saudi military operations in Yemen and broader geopolitical grievances.

Maritime security firms monitor the area closely due to the risk of attacks, which have intensified since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. The U.S. and allied nations have deployed naval patrols to safeguard commercial shipping lanes.

The latest claim comes amid broader regional tensions, with the Houthis continuing to assert their role as a military force in Yemen’s ongoing civil war.