Houthi missile strikes Saudi tanker off the coast of Yanbu

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On Monday, a Saudi-flagged oil tanker was struck by a projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire on the vessel's main deck. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was part of an ongoing effort to enforce a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred amidst heightened regional hostilities and follows the Houthi movement's recent decision to end a 2022 truce with the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Consequences

The ongoing maritime blockade threatens Saudi Arabia's ability to export millions of barrels of crude oil daily and further disrupts a critical artery for roughly 12% of global maritime trade. In response to the escalating threat to shipping, Riyadh has launched air strikes on Houthi military positions and formed a 14-nation multinational maritime defense coalition.

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