Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group announced on July 28, 2026, that it had fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, the NCC GHAZAL, in the Red Sea. The group stated the vessel was targeted for violating a naval blockade previously imposed on Saudi vessels.

This incident marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government for over a decade. The Houthis declared the naval blockade on July 20, accusing Saudi Arabia of imposing an "unjust and oppressive siege" and "plundering" Yemen's resources.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated on X that the operation used "several ballistic missiles" and forced the tanker to retreat. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime security monitor, confirmed that a tanker reported an explosion while transiting the Red Sea. UKMTO also reported that the crew was safe and no environmental damage occurred.

The attack underscores the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil exports. Approximately 5 percent of the world's total oil trade, amounting to about 4.1 billion barrels in 2024, passes through this waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

This is not the first alleged maritime attack by the Houthis in recent weeks. On July 22, the group claimed responsibility for an attack on two other Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, also for allegedly violating the blockade. Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority confirmed the Encelia had been hit, but reported all crew members were unharmed.

The Houthis seized Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, triggering a protracted civil war. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the rebel group for more than ten years.

The Houthi blockade declaration asserted "the right of our great people to respond to the blockade with a blockade," signaling their intent to disrupt Saudi maritime trade in response to what they perceive as a long-standing siege on Yemen.

Further details on the extent of the damage to the NCC GHAZAL and potential international responses remain to be seen, as the maritime security situation in the Red Sea continues to be a significant concern for global shipping and energy markets.