Houthi Aggression in the Red Sea Strait; Environmental Disaster a Near Miss

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition Forces to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen's Spokesperson, Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, issued a statement noting that at 1:15 AM, Riyadh local time, a Saudi oil tanker was the subject of a Iranian-backed Houthi militia attack while in international waters, west of the port of Hodeidah, which is under the control of the Houthi militia. The attempted attack was thwarted thanks to coalition naval vessels present in the area at the time. The attack resulted in minor damages to the tanker.

In his statement, Colonel Al-Maliki stressed that this terrorist attack constitutes a grievous threat to the freedom of maritime navigation and international trade in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea, which in turn could cause environmental and economic damage. The continuation of these acts of aggression prove the danger this militia – and those behind them – pose on regional and international security. He also stressed the militia's use of the port as launching pad for terrorist attacks.

Al-Maliki emphasized the Coalitions continued leadership, taking and implementing all measures and means to maintain security and stability.  This is part of the Coalition's commitment to making Yemen safe and stable, stressing once again the importance of handing over the province of Hodeidah to the legitimate Yemeni government to prevent its use as a military base for launching terrorist attacks against shipping lines and global trade.

In further developments, the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources issued a statement stating that Saudi Arabia is temporarily halting all oil shipments through Bab al-Mandeb Strait immediately until the situation becomes clearer and the maritime transit through Bab al-Mandeb is safe.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office

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