Red Sea Escalation: Houthis Target Saudi Oil Tankers Following Naval Embargo
Tensions in the Red Sea have escalated sharply following claims by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement that they launched attacks against two Saudi oil tankers, identified as the Encelia and the Layla.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the strikes were executed using a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Saree stated that the targeted vessels had breached a maritime blockade recently declared by the group, claiming the strikes resulted in fires onboard both ships and forced nearly ten other commercial vessels to abandon their routes.
Key Developments:
- Saudi Confirmation: The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed that the Encelia was struck, citing a source from the Transport General Authority. Authorities confirmed that all crew members on board are safe. SPA condemned the incident, describing it as a direct violation of international maritime laws ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping.
- Maritime Surveillance: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) acknowledged receiving reports of a tanker hit by an unknown projectile, adding that the crew was actively working to extinguish an onboard fire.
- Regional Context: The attacks follow the Houthis’ declaration of a naval embargo against Saudi shipping on July 20. This blockade was instituted amid a sharp resurgence in regional conflict, triggered by recent Yemeni government airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport aimed at intercepting an incoming Iranian aircraft.
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