Houthi fighters strike Saudi oil tanker in Red Sea corridor

The Houthi armed group said it carried out an attack on a Saudi oil tanker operating in the Red Sea, according to statements from the Iran-backed militia. Bahri, the Saudi shipping company operating the vessel, acknowledged that its ship had been struck during the incident but reported no casualties among its crew.

The attack marks the latest in a series of maritime incidents in the strategically important Red Sea waterway, a critical shipping corridor linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The region has experienced heightened tensions stemming from the broader Middle Eastern conflict, with various armed groups targeting commercial vessels in the area.

The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing solidarity with Palestinian causes amid regional tensions. These maritime operations have raised concerns among international shipping organizations and maritime authorities about freedom of navigation and security in one of the world's most vital trade routes.

Details regarding the extent of damage to the vessel and the precise circumstances of the attack remained limited. The incident underscores ongoing challenges to maritime security in the region and the risks faced by commercial shipping operating through these waters.