ISTANBUL

Yemen’s Houthi group said Monday that it targeted an oil tanker in the Red Sea with drones and missiles for breaching its embargo on vessels entering Israeli ports. 

In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group's fighters targeted the Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I.

The statement warned all companies dealing with Israel that their ships will be targeted while "passing through the declared area of maritime operations and regardless of their destination."

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7 last year.

Earlier this year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar