The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Sunday that they successfully carried out a precise military operation targeting the Israeli oil tanker SCARLET RAY in the northern Red Sea, in a decisive response to Israel’s recent aggression against Yemen’s capital.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed on Monday that the operation involved a ballistic missile that struck the vessel directly. He stressed that the strike is part of Yemen’s ongoing commitment to support the people of Gaza amid the Israeli occupation’s ongoing war on the besieged Strip.

“Our operations aim to obstruct Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea and prevent ships from reaching the ports of occupied Palestine,” Brigadier General Saree said, reaffirming Yemen’s determination to stand firmly alongside the Palestinian people.

The statement further emphasized that Yemeni forces remain committed to confronting the Israeli occupation and warned that additional targeted operations against Israeli vessels and strategic sites in occupied Palestine are planned as part of their duty to defend the Palestinian cause.

The incident was also reported by British maritime security firm Ambrey, which stated that a Liberia-flagged, Israeli-owned tanker experienced an explosion while sailing southwest of the Saudi port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the crew observed a projectile splash nearby and heard a loud bang. Fortunately, all crew members remained unharmed, and the tanker continued its voyage.

Ambrey noted that the vessel “aligned with the targets of Yemen’s Ansar Allah profile” and was publicly identified as Israeli-owned. Yemeni forces have consistently targeted Israeli-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea since 2023 as part of strategic measures to challenge the occupation.

The operation comes in the wake of Israel’s brutal airstrikes on Sanaa on Thursday, which killed Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad al-Rahawi and several government ministers while striking civilian neighborhoods in the capital.

Major General Mohammed al-Ghamari, Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, condemned the attack as a “heinous crime” and vowed that such atrocities would not deter Yemen from defending its sovereignty or its commitment to Palestine.

“Know well that by committing this heinous crime, you have opened the gates of hell upon yourselves,” Major General al-Ghamari warned, addressing the Israeli occupation directly.

He added that Yemen’s response will be “harsh and painful,” pointing to carefully considered strategic military options. Major General al-Ghamari reassured citizens and leadership alike: “You will hear soon and see with your own eyes what will heal your hearts.”

The northern Red Sea has been a focal point of Yemeni operations against Israeli maritime interests, reflecting the growing ability of Yemen’s Armed Forces to execute precise strikes while asserting control over vital sea routes. Analysts note that these operations signal Yemen’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and retaliating against continued Israeli aggression.

By targeting Israeli-linked shipping, Yemen not only demonstrates its capability to respond to attacks on its soil but also sends a strong message of solidarity with Gaza, highlighting the interlinked struggle against occupation in the region.

While international media have reported the incident with caution, Yemeni officials maintain that their actions are both defensive and morally justified, in response to unprovoked attacks on civilian areas.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have pledged continued vigilance, stating that future operations will be carefully planned and executed to maintain pressure on the occupation while ensuring the protection of Yemeni civilians.

“Our fight is just, and our commitment unwavering,” Brigadier General Saree affirmed.

As tensions rise in the Red Sea corridor, the SCARLET RAY strike marks a pivotal moment in Yemen’s military strategy and its unwavering stance in support of Gaza and the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)