Yemeni Armed Forces Target Saudi Oil Vessel in Red Sea, Reaffirm Maritime Ban
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced that they targeted the Saudi oil vessel NCC GHAZAL in the Red Sea after it allegedly violated the maritime ban imposed on Saudi shipping.
In a statement on Tuesday, the forces said the vessel was targeted after refusing multiple warnings, adding that it was struck with several ballistic missiles and forced to turn back.
The Yemeni Armed Forces reaffirmed that they would continue enforcing the maritime ban on Saudi vessels under the blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation equation.
Tensions between Yemen and Saudi Arabia have escalated sharply in recent weeks after the collapse of a de-escalation period. Following Saudi airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport, Yemen announced an air blockade targeting Saudi aviation, followed by a new blockade for blockade strategy linking Saudi airports, ports, and strategic infrastructure to the continuation of the blockade on Yemen.
The Yemeni Armed Forces subsequently imposed a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping, while Saudi forces carried out strikes on Hodeidah Port and Kamaran Island. In retaliation, Yemen announced coordinated missile and drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, saying the operations were part of its campaign to compel Saudi Arabia to end the war and blockade.