The Iran-backed Houthis claimed Tuesday they attacked a fourth Saudi-linked tanker since announcing a maritime blockade on Saudi ports, underscoring the escalating threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The statement added that the Houthis would continue enforcing what they described as a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under a policy of “siege by siege and comprehensive escalation by comprehensive escalation.” According to Equasis records, NCC GHAZAL is a Saudi-flagged 49,990-deadweight-ton chemical and oil products tanker built in 2014. The latest claim marks another escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against Saudi shipping. The group recently expanded its maritime operations, announcing a blockade targeting Saudi ports in response to what it describes as Saudi support for U.S. military operations against Yemen.