Houthis Join the War: 'We Attacked a Ship in the Gulf of Aden'

The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, hours after a British report of a powerful explosion near a tanker about 95 nautical miles from Aden. The crew was unharmed, but there is no Saudi confirmation or proof of a link between the events.

The Houthis, the rebels in Yemen, claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, as reported this evening (Wednesday) by news agencies. The announcement came hours after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a maritime incident about 95 nautical miles (approximately 176 kilometers) southeast of Aden. According to the British report, the master of a tanker in the area heard a powerful explosion near the vessel, and all crew members were accounted for safe and sound. At this stage, it has not been reported whether the tanker was damaged, and authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident. It is not yet clear whether the incident reported by UKMTO is the same attack for which the Houthis claimed responsibility, or whether these are two separate events. The lack of Saudi confirmation and the gap in information do not allow for independent verification of the Houthis' claim, and the identity of the tanker's owners and operators has not been disclosed. The incident occurs against the backdrop of rising regional tensions, but the article does not provide broader context.