A source from Yemen’s Houthi movement, Ansarullah, claimed that Yemeni armed forces targeted three Saudi oil tankers in the Bab al-Mandab Strait over the past 48 hours. The report was published on July 27, 2026. The source did not provide details on damage, the identities of the vessels, or the precise timing of the alleged attacks.

According to the source, a maritime blockade that took effect on Monday has led at least 16 Saudi-linked ships to turn back without crossing the strait. It also said that no Saudi oil tanker has been able to pass through the strategic waterway since the blockade began. The source said restrictions on Saudi vessels remain in force and that no ship would be permitted to cross.

Separately, Ansarullah military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci armed surveillance drone belonging to Saudi Arabia was shot down while operating over Yemen’s Al-Jawf province. He said any attempt to violate Yemen’s sovereignty would be countered. The claims were reported with Palestine Chronicles cited as the source.