Yemen and the Red Sea

Houthis claim ballistic missile attack on Saudi tanker NCC Ghazal

This version is a correction.

ATTACK
Location
Red Sea / Bab el-Mandeb approaches (NCC Ghazal claim; exact fix not published)
Actors
Houthis · Saudi Arabia · United States
Importance
Notable

Yemen’s Houthis said they fired ballistic missiles at the Saudi-flagged product tanker NCC Ghazal for violating their maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping, forcing the vessel to reverse course; maritime-security reporting said the ship was struck and returned to port. Riyadh did not immediately confirm the hit.

Al Jazeera (with Reuters) and Anadolu reported the 28 July 2026 Houthi claim naming NCC Ghazal. Maritime Executive cited EOS Risk Group that the ~50,000 dwt product tanker was hit by anti-ship missiles in the Red Sea and turned back. NYT noted Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed damage. Third claimed attack on Saudi shipping since ~22 July under the Saudi-port embargo framing. Participants limited to seed actors houthis / saudi / usa (affected regional guarantor).

Verification: Probable

Evidence: Yemen's Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi Arabia oil tanker, Saudi Tanker Hit by Houthi Missiles in the Red Sea, Houthis Claim Strike on Another Saudi Oil Tanker

Houthi claim multi-sourced; maritime-security confirmation of a strike and turn-back; Saudi official confirmation of damage not available at packaging.