Yemen’s Houthi militia said on Thursday it attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, claiming the vessels had breached a naval blockade the Iran-aligned group says it has imposed on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA confirmed that the tanker Encelia caught fire after an attack while sailing in the Red Sea, but said all crew members were safe and authorities had secured the vessel and taken steps to prevent environmental damage.
The Houthis said they targeted the Encelia and Layla using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, describing the operation as part of efforts to enforce their blockade.
A maritime security source said the Encelia issued a distress call after reporting it had been struck by a missile near Saudi Arabia’s Jizan port and was on fire.
British maritime security firm Vanguard said the Saudi-flagged tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported a similar incident involving a tanker in the same area.
UKMTO said the onboard fire was being fought by the crew and that no casualties or pollution had been reported.
Saudi authorities condemned the attack as a violation of international law, though they did not identify the party responsible.
The Houthis also claimed they struck a second tanker, Layla, and said their operations forced about 10 ships to alter course, although that claim could not be independently verified.
Ship-tracking data showed that five tankers changed course in the Red Sea on Wednesday, with two redirecting towards the Suez Canal after the Houthis warned vessels to avoid Saudi ports.
The latest attack underscores persistent security risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a key global energy and trade route that has faced repeated disruptions from Houthi operations.