Houthis to sanction major US oil firms

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have intensified their maritime campaign in the Red Sea region, claiming responsibility for a missile strike on a Dutch cargo ship and announcing sanctions against major U.S. oil companies in a retaliatory escalation.

The vessel, which caught fire in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week, was reportedly struck by a cruise missile launched by the Houthis’ naval wing. Two crew members were injured, and the ship is now at risk of sinking. The group stated the attack was carried out in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The ship’s owner confirmed the vessel was hit by a projectile, and the Houthis allege it violated a ban on entry to ports in occupied Palestine.

In a statement released shortly after the attack, the Houthis declared sanctions against 13 American oil firms, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. According to Reuters, the group also named nine individuals reportedly including top executives—and two U.S.-linked assets. The rebels warned they would target these entities in nearby seas, though the exact enforcement mechanism remains unclear.

The Saudi-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center reported that the Houthis’ actions are a direct response to U.S. sanctions imposed earlier this year, despite a truce agreement brokered by President Donald Trump’s administration. That deal had included a pledge from the Yemeni group to halt attacks on U.S.-linked ships navigating the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

European Union forces responded with rescue operations following the Dutch vessel attack. The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes in the region, especially as the Houthis signal a broader campaign against Western economic interests.This escalation marks a significant shift in the Houthis’ maritime strategy and raises fresh alarms for global energy markets and regional stability.