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Tankers hit in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthis claimed overnight Wednesday that they attacked the Saudi oil tankers Encela and Laylia, saying the vessels had “violated the naval blockade” imposed by the group on Riyadh.
“Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have claimed an attack on two Saudi oil tankers transiting through the Red Sea”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said it received a report of an “incident” at sea about 130 kilometers, or 80 miles, from the coastal city of Al-Shuqaiq in Jazan province in southwestern Saudi Arabia, where a vessel reported being struck by an unidentified object sparked a fire onboard.
DW reported that the Houthis identified the vessels as the Encelia and the Layla and said they were attacked with ballistic and cruise missiles for allegedly violating a Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.
DW also said a maritime security source told Reuters that the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia sent a distress call after reporting it had been hit by a missile and caught fire near the Saudi port of Jizan, with no casualties reported.
The Houthis’ claim came as the US military said it launched a new round of strikes on Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction, marking a 12th successive night of American attacks.
Blockade-for-blockade rhetoric
On Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said: “The Houthi forces announce a maritime embargo against the Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye,’” and said it would enter into force immediately.
Saree added that “The Yemeni armed forces affirm their full readiness for all possibilities,” and warned that any “foolish act” by the Saudi enemy “will be met with comprehensive and decisive escalation.”
Al Jazeera reported that Saree said the Houthis targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named ENCELA and LAYLIA, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces, and said the attacks used “a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones”.
Al Jazeera also quoted UKMTO saying “The master of a tanker reports being struck by an unknown projectile which has caused a fire onboard that the crew are currently fighting,” while Saudi Arabia had not commented on the claims.
Shipping disruption and next risks
The attacks followed the Houthis’ announcement of a blockade of Saudi ports in the Red Sea, and ship-tracking data showed several tankers changing course on Wednesday following Houthi warnings to avoid Saudi ports.
“Published on By Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they attacked two Saudi oil tankers with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones in the Red Sea, causing fires aboard both vessels amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia”
The South China Morning Post said five tankers changed course in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, and three tankers loaded with Saudi oil for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday.
CNBC said the EU naval mission advised merchant vessels linked to Israeli, U.S. or Saudi interests to “avoid transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases,” while the Joint Maritime Information Center warned mariners about preparations to attack shipping near Bab el-Mandeb.
CNBC also reported that “Four tankers with Saudi cargo turned around before reaching Bab el-Mandeb on Tuesday,” and that they were carrying 3.8 million barrels of crude oil, gasoil and naphtha.
The escalation threatens a key chokepoint as the Houthis control areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the South China Morning Post said the risk of a second chokehold on world oil supplies was raised in coordination with Iran’s attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz.
