Sanaa: Yemen’s Houthi group claimed on Thursday that it carried out an attack on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, saying the vessels had violated its newly announced maritime restrictions. The group said it targeted the ships, identified as ENCELIA and LAYLA, with missiles and drones, and claimed both vessels caught fire.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the attack was launched because the tankers were sailing in violation of the embargo the group says it has imposed on ships bound for Saudi ports. He said the operation achieved its objectives, but the group did not provide evidence of damage or say whether there were any casualties.
The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Saudi authorities. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of a tanker incident about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, where the vessel’s master reported being struck by an unknown projectile and a fire breaking out on board.
The Houthi announcement came two days after the group warned that vessels trading with Saudi ports could be targeted under its expanded maritime restrictions. The group said the move was in response to the continued closure of Sanaa International Airport and accused Saudi Arabia of backing restrictions on air traffic to Houthi-held areas.
(Inputs from IANS)