Houthis Attack Red Sea Oil Tanker as Yemen Risks Slide Back Into Full-Scale War
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Aug 26
Houthis Attack Red Sea Oil Tanker as Yemen Risks Slide Back Into Full-Scale War
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Aug 26
Summary
A crude oil tanker was attacked Monday in the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia, the latest Houthi strike after earlier attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and ships near Bab el-Mandeb.
Analysts say the Houthis are trying to pressure Saudi Arabia for more concessions while using a wider regional war to deflect anger over unpaid salaries, poor services and other unmet promises at home.
Mokha and the Red Sea coast have become central targets because control there would strengthen Houthi leverage over Bab el-Mandeb and global shipping, raising risks for Saudi trade, insurance costs and Vision 2030 projects.
Saudi Arabia has responded by building new security arrangements, including a 14-country Maritime Defense Alliance in July and a defense pact with Pakistan and Turkey in August, though analysts doubt either can keep Riyadh out of another Yemen war.
More than half of Yemen's population already needs humanitarian aid, and the UN has warned that renewed fighting could deepen one of the world's worst crises unless diplomacy revives a credible peace roadmap.