Houthis claim attack on Saudi oil tanker in northern Red Sea

ADEN, Yemen — Yemen's Houthi forces said on Friday they targeted a Saudi-owned oil tanker in the Yanbu area in the northern Red Sea. The group announced the strike through a statement from its armed forces, describing the operation as part of ongoing pressure on Saudi maritime routes. The Houthis reiterated that any vessel sailing under the Saudi flag and operating from Saudi ports is a legitimate target. They also signaled that military operations against Saudi oil tankers, warships and other sites in the northern Red Sea would continue. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a separate statement that the scope of military operations would be expanded and would extend beyond the Red Sea to include the United Arab Emirates. He did not provide further details on timing or specific targets. Saudi officials had not publicly commented on the reported attack at the time of publication. No casualty figures or damage assessments were immediately available.