Yemen’s Ansar Allah group, also known as the Houthis, claimed on Wednesday that it had carried out 31 military operations against Saudi targets over the past month, including attacks on oil tankers and military assets.
Houthi spokesman Ameen Hayyan said in a social media statement that the operations between July 20 and August 19 were intended to restrict Saudi maritime activity, target military deployments and respond to what the group described as violations of Yemeni sovereignty.
According to Hayyan, Houthi forces targeted eight Saudi oil tankers, including five in the Red Sea and three operating in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.
He further claimed that the group had prevented 48 Saudi oil tankers from passing through regional waters, including 14 in the Red Sea and 34 in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Hayyan said the Houthis also carried out nine operations against targets in Yanbu, Najran, Jizan and Abha, as well as oil facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The spokesman said the attacks were in retaliation for earlier Saudi strikes on Sanaa airport and Hodeidah seaport, as well as alleged violations of Yemeni airspace over Saada and Hajjah.
Other operations were directed at Saudi military deployments in Ruwik, Al-Abr, Al-Wadiah, Marib and Mocha, according to Hayyan. He also claimed that vessels allegedly transporting Saudi military personnel and equipment were targeted.
The claims regarding the number and impact of the operations were made by the Houthi group and were not independently verified.