Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Houthis claim missile strikes on two Saudi oil tankers
In Yemen, a group called the Houthis says it shot rockets at two big ships that carry oil for Saudi Arabia.
One ship, called the "Daisy," was sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
The other ship, called the "Wafa," was near the Saudi city of Yanbu in the Red Sea.
The Houthis said the ships were hit and had to turn back.
They announced this on the social media site X. The Houthis say they will keep blocking Saudi oil ships until Saudi Arabia stops blocking their part of Yemen.
This is what they call their "blockade-for-blockade" plan.
Other ships nearby heard a loud boom, but all the sailors were safe.
Saudi Arabia has not said anything yet, and no one else has confirmed the attacks really happened.
The two sides have been fighting for years, so things in this area are very tense.
Yemen's Houthis claimed a ballistic missile struck the Saudi oil tanker "Daisy" in the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to turn back.
Hours earlier, the group claimed it targeted the Saudi tanker "Wafa" with several ballistic missiles off Yanbu in the northern Red Sea.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea announced the attacks on X, citing a "blockade-for-blockade" policy against Saudi Arabia.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a tanker heard a loud explosion in the Gulf of Aden, with all crew safe.
Saudi authorities gave no immediate comment and the claims were not independently verified; tensions follow the Houthis' July 20 maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping.
- Who
- Yemen's Houthi group, announced by military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, targeting Saudi oil tankers "Daisy" and "Wafa".
- What
- Claimed ballistic missile strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden and the northern Red Sea.
- When
- Wednesday (local time), amid escalating tensions following the Houthis' July 20 maritime ban announcement.
- Where
- Gulf of Aden off Yemen's southern coast, and the northern Red Sea off the Saudi port city of Yanbu.
- Why
- Part of the Houthis' "blockade-for-blockade" maritime policy against Saudi Arabia until an alleged blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.
Houthi Perspective
Saudi-Led Coalition Perspective
Maritime blockade policy
Houthi Perspective
The missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers are retaliation under a "blockade-for-blockade" policy, and Houthi forces will block Saudi tanker passage until a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.
Saudi-Led Coalition Perspective
The Saudi-led coalition has resumed limited airstrikes on key Houthi military targets in Yemen, treating the group's maritime attacks and bans as continued aggression in the long-running conflict.
Verification of the strikes
Houthi Perspective
The Houthis described the strike on the "Wafa" as "precise" and said the "Daisy" was hit and forced to turn back.
Saudi-Led Coalition Perspective
Saudi authorities made no immediate comment, and the claims could not be independently verified, while the UKMTO only confirmed a loud explosion was heard with all crew safe.
- Affected vessels
- Saudi oil tankers "Daisy" (Gulf of Aden) and "Wafa" (northern Red Sea)
- Weapons used
- Ballistic missiles
- Announced by
- Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea via social media platform X
- Policy cited
- "Blockade-for-blockade" policy against Saudi Arabia
- Maritime ban announced
- July 20, on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea
- Verification status
- Claims not independently verified; no immediate comment from Saudi authorities
- UKMTO report
- Tanker heard a loud explosion in the Gulf of Aden; all crew safe