Yemen’s Ansarullah movement claims attack on two Saudi oil tankers

Yemen’s Houthi-aligned Ansarullah movement has claimed responsibility for targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, alleging that the vessels violated a newly declared naval blockade imposed by the group against Saudi Arabia.

According to Saudi state media, a Saudi-owned tanker, identified as the Encelia, was struck while transiting the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the vessel’s bow. Saudi authorities confirmed that the crew managed to contain the fire safely and that no casualties or environmental damage were reported.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and maritime security group Vanguard had earlier reported a missile strike on a tanker approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia. The vessel’s captain reported that the fire was caused by an incoming projectile.

The strike follows Ansarullah’s formal declaration of a naval blockade targeting vessels bound for or operating near Saudi ports. An Ansarullah spokesperson stated that the blockade was enacted in direct response to the siege on Yemen, specifically citing the ongoing closure of Sanaa International Airport, and warned that maritime restrictions would match those imposed on Yemeni airspace.