Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Houthis Claim Attack on Vessel Off Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu
The Houthis said they attacked a ship near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
A maritime agency reported that a tanker had been hit by something whose origin was unknown.
The ship was about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu.
Everyone on the tanker was reported safe.
No environmental damage was reported.
Saudi officials had not confirmed the attack when the report was published.
The Houthis have said they are blockading Saudi-linked ships in the Red Sea.
Yanbu is an important port for exporting Saudi oil.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they attacked a vessel near Saudi Arabia’s port city of Yanbu.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu.
UKMTO said all crew members were safe and accounted for, with no reported environmental impact.
Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm or comment on the reported incident.
The Houthis have recently claimed attacks on Saudi-linked shipping and oil facilities, including Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
- Who
- Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they carried out the attack; UKMTO reported the tanker incident.
- What
- A tanker was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a vessel.
- When
- Monday, August 24; the report does not specify a year.
- Where
- 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, in the Red Sea.
- Why
- The Houthis have declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels, but the articles do not provide a specific reason for this particular reported attack.
Houthi Claim
Unconfirmed Incident
Responsibility for the attack
Houthi Claim
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group attacked a vessel off Yanbu.
Unconfirmed Incident
UKMTO reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile, while Saudi authorities had not confirmed that the Houthis were responsible.
Wider maritime campaign
Houthi Claim
The Houthis say their actions are part of a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea and have also claimed attacks on Saudi oil facilities and shipping.
Unconfirmed Incident
The report provides no independent confirmation of the blockade’s scope or of the Houthis’ earlier claim that Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu were targeted.
- Reported location
- 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
- Vessel status
- UKMTO identified the vessel as a tanker struck by an unknown projectile
- Crew status
- All crew were safe and accounted for
- Environmental impact
- No environmental impact was reported
- Claimed attacker
- Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement
- Saudi confirmation
- No Saudi confirmation or comment was reported
- Strategic port
- Yanbu is Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea oil port