The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen claimed on Wednesday evening that it struck the Saudi oil tanker 'Daisy,' achieving a direct hit and forcing it to turn back. The claim is unverified, and no independent confirmation from Saudi or maritime authorities has been reported.
The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen claimed on Wednesday evening that it struck the Saudi oil tanker 'Daisy,' asserting a direct hit and that the vessel was forced to turn back. The claim has not been independently verified; Saudi authorities have not commented. The identification of the targeted vessel as 'Daisy' is the latest in a series of evolving Houthi claims throughout the day.
The Houthis first reported an attack on a Saudi oil tanker near the Red Sea port of Yanbu at 10:03 Jerusalem on Wednesday, initially identifying the vessel as 'Wafaa.' Over the course of the day, the group's claims escalated, with military spokesman Yahya Saree stating that the tanker was struck with several ballistic missiles. By the evening, the Houthis had revised the vessel's name to 'Daisy.' The claims remain unverified, and no independent confirmation from Saudi or maritime authorities has been reported. The Houthis have previously targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea as part of an Iranian-backed campaign.
As The Zioneer has reported, the Houthis have intensified their maritime campaign against Saudi oil tankers since late July, claiming to have struck eight tankers and forced 29 others to change course since July 22. The group has also coordinated attacks with Iraqi Shia militias under Iranian supervision, striking Saudi oil facilities such as the Abqaiq processing plant. Saudi Arabia has reportedly been preparing a large-scale military operation, including a naval and potential ground offensive in central Yemen, to break the Houthi-imposed blockade on its oil exports.
It remains unclear whether the 'Daisy' was actually struck or if the Houthi claims are accurate. No damage, casualties, or disruption to shipping have been independently confirmed. The evolving identification of the vessel—from 'Wafaa' to 'Daisy'—raises questions about the reliability of the group's reporting.
6 developments
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- DevelopingHouthis reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in Gulf of Aden, Israel Hayom says
- DevelopingHouthi fast attack boats strike oil tanker near the Gulf of Aden
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