The Iran-supported Houthis announced on Tuesday that they have attacked a fourth tanker linked to Saudi Arabia since implementing a maritime blockade on Saudi ports. This highlights the growing danger to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
According to a statement from Houthi-affiliated media, the group's military spokesperson reported that Yemeni forces targeted the Saudi-flagged chemical and products tanker NCC GHAZAL with several ballistic missiles after it supposedly violated the group's maritime navigation restrictions.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces conducted a military operation against the Saudi oil tanker (NCC GHAZAL) for breaching the maritime navigation ban placed on the Saudi enemy and ignoring our warnings. They were struck with ballistic missiles and had to retreat, thanks to our efforts,” the spokesperson mentioned.
The statement went on to say that the Houthis plan to continue their so-called maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, following a strategy of "siege by siege and escalation by escalation."
Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, wrote on X that the NCC GHAZAL was hit by anti-ship missiles while navigating the southern Red Sea, forcing it to turn back. He noted this as the fourth Saudi tanker targeted since the Houthis declared their blockade of Saudi ports.
This Houthi claim aligns with a warning from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, which reported that the crew of an unspecified tanker heard an explosion while passing through the southern Red Sea near Jizan, Saudi Arabia. UKMTO assured that the crew and vessel were safe with no environmental damage reported, but did not specify the tanker or confirm whether it was under attack.
Records from Equasis show that the NCC GHAZAL is a Saudi-flagged chemical and oil products tanker with a deadweight tonnage of 49,990, built in 2014. It is managed by Bahri Ship Management DMCC and owned by National Chemical Carriers Co.
At the time of publication, neither Bahri nor Saudi authorities had released comments regarding the Houthi claim, and gCaptain has not verified that NCC GHAZAL is the vessel mentioned in the UKMTO alert.
This latest claim represents a further escalation in the Houthis' campaign against Saudi maritime activities. The group has recently broadened its operations at sea, announcing a blockade against Saudi ports in response to what they describe as Saudi support for U.S. military actions in Yemen.
The renewed attacks have made security situations in the Red Sea even more complex, where commercial traffic was only slowly recovering after nearly two years of Houthi aggressions.
Shipping companies are continuing to assess the risks of operating in the area as security alerts remain and military tensions in the Middle East stay high.