Houthi forces target Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL in Red Sea

The Yemen‑based Houthi movement announced that its forces struck the Saudi‑flagged oil tanker NCC GHAZAL on July 28, accusing the vessel of violating a Houthi‑imposed navigation ban. spokesperson Colonel Yahya Sari said the ship was hit with ballistic missiles, forcing it to turn back to its point of origin.

No independent verification of damage has been reported; the vessel’s crew indicated no injuries or leaks. The incident follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi‑linked tankers and a recent strike on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery, prompting heightened security alerts from maritime‑risk companies and calls for continuous monitoring of Red Sea traffic.

The attacks have underscored the growing threat to international shipping lanes that carry a large share of the world’s energy supplies, prompting ship owners to reassess routing and insurance costs in the region.