The Iran-backed Houthis announced they have attacked a fourth Saudi-linked tanker, highlighting an increasing risk to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. They targeted the Saudi-flagged chemical/products tanker, NCC GHAZAL, with ballistic missiles after it allegedly breached a maritime navigation ban imposed by the group.
According to a Houthi military spokesman, the Yemeni Armed Forces conducted the operation because the vessel ignored warnings. The spokesperson mentioned that the tanker was forced to retreat following the attack, reinforcing the Houthis’ commitment to enforcing their maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia as part of a broader strategy of escalating hostilities.
This claim aligns with a warning from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which noted that an unidentified tanker in the same region reported hearing an explosion. Fortunately, both the crew and vessel were confirmed safe, with no environmental damage detected.
As the Houthis intensify their maritime campaign, shipping companies are assessing risks in a region where security conditions are precarious. The resurgence of attacks complicates already fragile stability in the Red Sea, where commercial traffic had been gradually recovering from prior threats.
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