Yemen’s Houthi group says it attacked the Saudi oil tanker Amzan with a ballistic missile off Yanbu in the Red Sea. Saudi shipping company Bahri confirmed the vessel was involved in a maritime incident and said all crew members were safe, with no injuries reported.
The claim has not been confirmed by Saudi officials. The reported strike follows a UK Maritime Trade Operations notice that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile about 63 nautical miles (117km) west of Yanbu.
What Bahri and the Houthis said
A Houthi military spokesperson said the vessel, which belongs to Bahri, was targeted off the coast of Yanbu. The group said the strike caused a fire aboard the tanker and prompted other ships in the area to flee.
Bahri said it remained in contact with Amzan and was coordinating with relevant authorities. The company said the safety of its people, protection of the maritime environment and safe management of the vessel were its highest priorities.
Related coverage: Houthi attacks shut Yemen’s al-Makha port, disrupting work and trade.
Why the incident matters for Red Sea shipping
The Houthis described the attack as part of their decision to ban maritime navigation by what they called the Saudi enemy. The group has said its actions support Iran as the US-Iran war raises concerns about a wider regional escalation.
Yanbu is Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea oil port and has become a key route for Saudi oil tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, which the source report says has been blockaded by Iran.
Recent attacks and what happens next
Shipping around Yanbu has faced disruption since last month, when the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea and began launching attacks. The group has also targeted a Saudi oil refinery and reported attacks involving vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The immediate status of Amzan beyond the crew’s safety remains unclear. Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed the incident, and a request for comment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received no response.
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