Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed Wednesday morning that the group struck the Saudi oil tanker 'Wafaa' with several ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu. The claim comes minutes after the Houthis vowed to intensify their naval campaign against Saudi oil tankers. The report is unverified and Saudi authorities have not commented.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed Wednesday morning, Aug 5, that the group struck the Saudi oil tanker 'Wafaa' with several ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea, off the coast of Yanbu. The identification of the vessel as 'Wafaa' refines the claim since earlier reports had named the vessel as 'Wafa' or simply referred to a Saudi oil tanker. The new claim was issued minutes after the Houthis vowed to continue and intensify their naval campaign against Saudi oil tankers in the northern Red Sea, as The Zioneer reported at 10:05 Jerusalem today.
Within minutes of the initial claim at 10:03 Jerusalem, the Houthis amplified their narrative: a first bulletin reported the group's claim of striking the tanker with ballistic missiles; a second update added that since July 22, eight Saudi oil tankers have been hit and 29 others forced to change course or withdraw; and a third version saw the Houthis officially claim responsibility for the attack. The sequence of claims, all published at 10:03 Jerusalem, shows the Houthi information apparatus operating in rapid succession, with no independent corroboration of any of the details.
The Houthis have been targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping since ending their ceasefire with Riyadh earlier this year, part of the broader Iranian proxy campaign across the region. As The Zioneer reported on July 31, Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing a large-scale military response, including a potential ground offensive in central Yemen and the formation of a 14-nation maritime coalition to secure Red Sea exports. The group, an Iranian proxy, has also been coordinating with Iraqi Shia militias to strike Saudi energy facilities, as reported on July 27.
The claim regarding the attack on 'Wafaa' remains unverified. No independent confirmation of the strike has been reported, and Saudi authorities have not issued a statement. The extent of damage, if any, and potential casualties are unknown.
6 developments
- StrongHouthis vow to continue naval campaign, target Saudi oil tankers in northern Red Sea
- DevelopingHouthi fast attack boats strike oil tanker near the Gulf of Aden
- StrongHouthi spokesman: Drone strike targeted Saudi oil facilities from east to Yanbu
- DevelopingHouthis reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in Gulf of Aden, Israel Hayom says
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