Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan on Saturday, as the US military announced it had disabled a tanker attempting to bypass a blockade on Iranian ports.
The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of Yemen, stated its forces had targeted Jizan in southwestern Saudi Arabia. This latest claim comes amidst wider regional instability linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Separately, the US military confirmed it had disabled a tanker earlier this week. The vessel was reportedly attempting to evade the American blockade currently imposed on Iranian ports.
The Iran-backed Houthi group last week announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and has targeted its ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthi declaration of the Jizan strike followed earlier accusations this week that Saudi Arabia had launched strikes on civilian sites in the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. Saudi Arabia, however, maintained its operations had targeted only Houthi military installations.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The rebels last week declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and have since targeted Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in their long-running conflict.
Jizan, a strategically important city in Saudi Arabia, houses a major oil refinery and port facilities, making it a frequent target for Houthi attacks.
US Blockade and Iran Conflict
The US blockade on Iranian ports forms a key part of the international pressure campaign against Tehran. Washington has steadily tightened sanctions and naval patrols to limit Iran's oil exports and military resupply.
These actions, coupled with the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, have fuelled a dangerous cycle of retaliation across the Middle East. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have consistently positioned themselves as part of this broader anti-US and anti-Israeli alliance.
The exact extent of any damage or casualties from the claimed Jizan missile attack remains unconfirmed by Saudi authorities.
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