Houthi Rebels Target Oil Tanker in Red Sea Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions

Sun Oct 19 2025 07:05:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for a missile attack on an oil tanker, escalating tensions in the Red Sea and affecting maritime security.

The Houthi rebels have confirmed a missile launch aimed at the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Scarlet Ray off the coast of Saudi Arabia, alleging its connections to Israel. The attack is part of a pattern, as the Houthis have targeted numerous vessels throughout their conflict. This escalation follows recent military actions and raises concerns over shipping safety in a critical global waterway.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Monday the launch of a missile at an oil tanker near Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, a move that may rekindle attacks on maritime shipping in this pivotal global route.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, took responsibility for the launch, asserting that the vessel, identified as the Scarlet Ray and registered under Liberia, had ties to Israel.

While the tanker’s managing company, Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, was unreachable for comments, maritime security analysts classified the Scarlet Ray as a likely target, highlighting its public ownership links to Israel.

This Singapore firm is managed by the Israeli businessman Idan Ofer, who has previously faced allegations of being targeted in Iranian-led assaults.

Reports from the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center mentioned that a vessel recorded noises resembling a splash and explosion off the coast near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, from November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have reportedly targeted over 100 vessels using missiles and drones, sinking several ships and resulting in casualties among mariners.

The recent Houthi strikes come after a temporary ceasefire during which attacks subsided. Following a series of airstrikes launched by the U.S. against Houthi positions, which President Trump labeled as part of a ceasefire agreement, tensions remain high. The Houthis had previously sunk ships, with fatalities arising from assaults on maritime operations.

This new wave of attacks is coinciding with uncertain ceasefire negotiations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, as well as ongoing discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, which have been complicated by Israel’s recent military actions targeting Iranian infrastructure.

Additionally, bombing campaigns last week reportedly killed several high-ranking Houthi officials, prompting retaliatory measures, including attacks directed at United Nations offices in Yemen's capital, where numerous agency employees were reportedly detained amidst escalating hostilities.