Yemeni Forces Target Saudi Oil Tanker off Yanbu Amid Escalation

By Al Mayadeen English

24 Aug 2026 18:09

Yahya Saree says Yemen struck the Saudi tanker Amzan and Saudi military positions as Sana’a enforces its maritime ban under the “blockade for blockade” equation.

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced operations targeting a Saudi oil tanker off the coast of Yanbu and Saudi military positions in several areas, as part of Sanaa’s military equation against Saudi Arabia's aggression.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces were able to target the Saudi oil tanker Amzan in the northern Red Sea, off the coast of Yanbu, with a ballistic missile," Spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement. "The strike was precise and direct, resulting in a fire on the ship, and the escape of several other ships in the area." 

Saree confirmed that this move "is part of the implementation of the Yemeni Armed Forces' decision to ban maritime traffic for the Saudi enemy and to enforce a blockade with a blockade."

Saudi military positions targeted

The spokesperson further added in his statement that the Yemeni Armed Forces conducted two military operations against Saudi forces. 

The first operation "targeted Saudi forces consisting of a large military convoy carrying military equipment in the areas of Al-Ubra and Al-Wadi'a, using ballistic missiles and drones."

Saree noted that this retaliatory action destroyed over ten trucks "loaded with weapons" that were making their way from Saudi Arabia to "target the Yemeni people."

"The second operation targeted Saudi enemy forces in the Al-Kanais area with ballistic missiles and drones," Saree stated, "resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens, including officers and commanders, as well as the burning and destruction of several weapons depots.

The Yemeni Armed Forces' spokesperson added that Sanaa will continue to move forward with enforcing a maritime ban on Saudi Arabia within the declared area of operations. He also said that Yemen will continue abiding by the military equations of blockade for blockade and meeting escalation with escalation. 

"We are ready, with God's power, to confront any escalation with stronger and more severe strikes, and with broader and larger operations," Saree stated. 

Riyadh attacks Saada governorate

The Yemeni Armed Forces' announcement follows overnight strikes by Saudi Arabian forces against residential villages in Razih District, Saada Governorate, northern Yemen, with artillery shells, according to Yemen’s Al Masirah TV.

The Saudi attacks came after continued Yemeni military operations in response to violations of the country’s sovereignty, notably Sanaa announcing the downing of a Saudi reconnaissance drone on Sunday after it entered Yemeni airspace over the province of Hajjah.

A Yemeni military source identified the aircraft as a ScanEagle reconnaissance drone, adding it was shot down using an appropriate weapon while carrying out a surveillance mission over the province. 

Tensions between Sanaa and Riyadh escalated following the Saudi aggression on Sanaa International Airport in July.

Following the strike, the Yemeni Armed Forces declared that the 2022 peace deal with Saudi Arabia had effectively collapsed and announced the imposition of a naval blockade on Riyadh.