Yemen: Yemen's Houthi group declared early Thursday that they executed a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. The announcement was reported by Anadolu Ajansi.
According to Nam News Network, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the operation specifically targeted the Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla for allegedly violating the group's maritime blockade. Saree claimed that the strikes achieved direct hits and led to nearly 10 vessels being forced to turn back and retreat.
Saree declared that the group's armed forces would persist with maritime operations against Saudi Arabia, emphasizing a blockade-for-blockade approach. He also cautioned Saudi Arabia that any attack on Yemen would lead to significant operations deep within Saudi territory.
Earlier reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency indicated a fire erupted aboard a tanker struck by a projectile approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shaqiq, Saudi Arabia. The agency mentioned that authorities were investigating the incident.
Subsequently, Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA), as cited by the official SPA news agency, confirmed that the Encelia had been targeted while navigating the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the vessel's bow. An official source from the authority affirmed that all crew members were safe and that necessary measures had been taken to secure the vessel, its crew, and protect the marine environment. The source also described the attack as a breach of international laws and conventions that ensure the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.
On Monday, the Houthis declared a ban on maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia, which prompted the Saudi-led coalition to promise a firm and forceful response and began implementing measures to protect vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
