Houthis claim missile and drone attack on Saudi oil tankers

Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a major escalation in regional tensions and

Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a major escalation in regional tensions and raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted the tankers, identified as ENCELA and LAYLIA, because they allegedly violated the maritime blockade the Houthis imposed on Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

According to the spokesperson, the operation involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. He claimed the strikes caused fires aboard both vessels and forced nearly 10 other commercial ships to abandon their planned routes and turn back.

Saudi authorities have not officially commented on the Houthi claims.

However, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors maritime security in the region, confirmed receiving a report from the captain of a tanker that an unidentified projectile had struck the vessel, sparking a fire. The crew managed to respond to the incident, and no casualties or environmental damage have been reported.

The attack comes just days after the Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, saying the move was retaliation for recent military actions in Yemen. The group accused Riyadh of maintaining a long-standing blockade on areas under Houthi control and vowed to respond with similar measures at sea.

The latest developments have increased fears over shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The route is vital for global energy supplies and international trade, carrying millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products every day.

Shipping security in the region has already been under pressure because of wider Middle East tensions. Any prolonged disruption in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could further affect global oil markets, increase transport costs and delay commercial shipping.