Houthi Rebels Target Shipping with Missile Strike on Oil Tanker

Sat Sep 13 2025 10:49:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent escalation, Yemen’s Houthi rebels confirmed they launched a missile at an oil tanker off Saudi Arabia's coast, raising concerns about maritime safety in the Red Sea amid ongoing regional tensions.

The Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for targeting the Liberian-flagged oil tanker, allegedly linked to Israel, in the Red Sea. This incident follows a series of similar attacks that have already resulted in the sinking of vessels and casualties among mariners since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis' actions appear to be retaliatory measures amid heightened military actions from Israel.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels disclosed on Monday that they had launched a missile at an oil tanker near Saudi Arabia’s coast in the Red Sea, indicating a potential resurgence in their assaults targeting shipping in the strategically vital waterway.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the missile launch during a televised address on Houthi-controlled al-Masirah, alleging that the vessel, the Liberian-flagged Scarlet Ray, had connections to Israel.

The vessel's operator, Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, was not immediately available for comment. However, maritime security firm Ambrey noted that the ship fits a profile of Houthi targets due to its apparent Israeli ownership.

Eastern Pacific is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and has been previously implicated in suspected Iranian attacks.

Earlier reports from the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center indicated that a ship in the area detected a splash and a bang near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, which escalated dramatically late last year, the Houthis have reportedly attacked over 100 ships, causing the sinking of four vessels and the deaths of at least eight mariners.

The resumption of Houthi missile strikes comes after a previous cessation during a temporary ceasefire due to regional conflict dynamics. The Houthis are responding to recent airstrikes by Israel, which targeted their leadership.

This renewed offensive from the Houthis raises serious concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea amid an already fragile geopolitical landscape marked by the ongoing Israel-Hamas tensions.