Yemen’s Houthi group claimed on Wednesday that it had launched a missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea, saying the strike was part of the group’s maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement posted on X, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with several ballistic missiles off the coast of Yanbu, claiming the projectiles struck the vessel accurately.

Saree said the attack formed part of what the Houthis describe as their maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and their “blockade for blockade” strategy.

According to the spokesperson, the latest strike brings the number of Saudi oil tankers targeted by the group to eight since it announced the blockade on July 22.

He also claimed that 29 Saudi oil tankers had either been prevented from transiting the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea or forced to change course.

Saree alleged that Saudi Arabia had begun rerouting its oil tankers to the northern Red Sea after the Houthis imposed what they described as a blockade at the Bab El Mandab Strait.

The Houthi spokesperson vowed to intensify attacks on Saudi oil tankers operating in the northern Red Sea, saying the group would continue efforts to block maritime routes and prevent the passage of Saudi vessels “regardless of the consequences.”

Saudi authorities had not immediately commented on the Houthi claims, and the group’s assertions could not be independently verified.