Houthi Rebels Target Oil Tanker Amid Rising Tensions in Red Sea

Mon Sep 15 2025 16:42:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Houthi rebels assert responsibility for a missile attack on an oil tanker off Saudi Arabia's coast, indicating a potential escalation in assaults on maritime shipping routes in response to regional conflicts.

In a concerning development, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed to have launched a missile at the Liberian-flagged oil tanker, Scarlet Ray, alleging it had ties to Israel. This incident may signal a renewed wave of attacks aimed at maritime vessels traversing the Red Sea. Over the past year, the Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on ships amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Their recent missile launch comes after significant airstrikes by Israel targeting Houthi leadership, potentially heightening the already fraught situation in the Middle East.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed on Monday that they launched a missile at an oil tanker off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, renewing fears of attacks on shipping in this critical global waterway.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated the attack was on the vessel, the Liberian-flagged Scarlet Ray, which he alleged has connections to Israel. The owners of the ship, Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, were unavailable for immediate comment. The maritime security firm Ambrey noted that the ship fits the Houthis’ profile for targeting, suggesting its ownership ties to Israel as key. Eastern Pacific is ultimately controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer and has previously faced attacks believed to be connected to Iranian factions.

The UK’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a vessel had detected a splash and a bang off its starboard near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the Houthi claims. During the course of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which continues to escalate, the Houthis are reported to have launched more than 100 assaults on ships using missiles and drones. They have sunk at least four vessels and claimed the lives of at least eight sailors, signaling an intensified maritime conflict.

The Houthis had paused their attacks during a short ceasefire but later faced a sustained series of airstrikes from the U.S., drawing further ire and leading to more hostilities. With the Houthis claiming retaliation following Israeli airstrikes that killed key leadership members, this latest missile attack casts a shadow over ongoing efforts for peace in the region.