Red Sea Blockade Tightens as Houthi Missiles Strike Two Saudi Crude Carriers
Iran-backed rebels expand their maritime campaign into the northern Red Sea, targeting tankers Wafa and Daisy. The escalation threatens the Kingdom's primary oil export alternative following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Key takeaways
- Houthi forces targeted the Saudi tankers Wafa and Daisy using ballistic missiles in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
- The rebels are expanding operations northward to block Saudi Arabia's alternative export route via Yanbu port.
- Saudi seaborne crude exports through the Red Sea reached nearly 100 million barrels in June 2026.
- The maritime blockade follows the parallel closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
Escalation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for missile strikes against two Saudi-flagged oil tankers on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Military spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed that the tanker Wafa was hit by ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea near the port of Yanbu. A second vessel, the Daisy, was reportedly targeted in the Gulf of Aden. These actions represent the eighth and ninth attacks on Saudi tankers since the rebel group initiated a maritime blockade last month.
Tactical Shift Targeting Yanbu Port
The rebels announced a deliberate expansion of their operations into the northern Red Sea. According to Saree, this shift responds to Saudi efforts to bypass southern naval threats by rerouting traffic. With Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi port of Yanbu has become the Kingdom's primary outlet for global crude delivery. The Houthis stated their intent is to shutter all remaining access points and halt the passage of Saudi energy exports entirely.
Why It Matters
The disruption of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea corridor places extreme pressure on global energy supplies. Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea had served as the sole viable maritime route for Saudi crude. Data indicates that Yanbu handled all Saudi seaborne oil exports during April and May of 2026, making any persistent threat to the northern Red Sea a direct challenge to the Kingdom's export capacity.
Key Facts
- Saudi crude exports through the Bab al-Mandeb rose eightfold between March and July 2026 compared to 2025.
- June exports reached nearly 100 million barrels, a sharp increase from the seven million barrels recorded in February.
- Saudi authorities have not yet issued an official response to the reported strikes on the Wafa and Daisy.
- The Bab al-Mandeb serves as a transit link connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
Source: The Hindu — World
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