Houthis Attack Saudi Naval Vessels Near Yemen’s Mokha Port

Sana’a (Terror Monitor) — Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on Monday, August 17, claimed to have carried out missile attacks on several Saudi naval vessels in waters near Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mokha.

The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the group targeted a Saudi military vessel and four escort vessels in the Red Sea. The claim was published on Telegram.

Saudi Arabia has not immediately commented on the reported attacks.

Mokha is located near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically important maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and one of the world’s major shipping routes.

Last Tuesday, the Houthis also attacked a vessel near the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency reported that the vessel was a Saudi tanker and that four crew members were killed in the missile attack.

The Houthis have also claimed to have imposed a blockade on Saudi ports in the Red Sea since July, describing it as retaliation for what they allege is a Saudi blockade of Yemen. Saudi Arabia denies imposing any blockade on Yemen and has rejected the Houthi allegations.