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The Houthi militant group claimed a missile attack on an Israeli oil tanker in the Red Sea and vowed to retaliate against Israel and its interests in the region.
This response came days after Houthi authorities in Yemen said airstrikes by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had killed senior political leaders, including the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahwi. Newsweek has reached out to both IDF and Houthi officials for comment.
Why It Matters:
The new attack underscores the group’s efforts to escalate attacks across the region after suffering a major blow from the Israeli strike. Despite U.S. and global efforts to curb its threats, the Houthis have continued to increase attacks on vessels with hundreds of missiles since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
Houthi fighters took part in an anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on August 29, 2025 (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo).
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What To Know:
– Houthi naval militia forces claimed they hit the Israeli oil tanker “Scarlet Ray” with a ballistic missile.
– The ship’s crew described an unknown projectile landing nearby but reported no damage. (Martin Kelly via Twitter)
Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, vowed revenge for al-Rahawi’s death. The rebels control about one-third of Yemen, including its entire Red Sea coast.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a strike on Thursday that hit a meeting of senior Houthi figures in Sanaa, where Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi was expected to give an address. The Houthis are investigating potential infiltration within their ranks and tightening security across Sanaa.
The United Nations said Houthi authorities stormed its premises in areas under their control in Yemen and detained at least 11 personnel. This incident mirrors Israel’s tactics against Hezbollah, targeting key leaders and disrupting internal networks to weaken the group.
What People Are Saying:
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We eliminated most of the Houthi government and additional senior military officials. We will reach all senior figures in Sanaa.”
– Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi: “No traitor can be protected—our people will remain vigilant against any such attempts. Anyone aiding the Israeli enemy cannot be supported.”
– U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel.”
What Happens Next:
Israel is reinforcing air defenses and tightening security around its leadership in anticipation of possible retaliatory attacks, according to Israeli media reports.
