Yemeni Houthi sources reported early in the morning that their vessels were targeted by two Saudi oil tankers, leading the group to issue warnings regarding potential maritime instability in the region. In response to the alleged incident, the Houthis claimed that the Saudi tankers, identified as “Encelia” and “Layla,” conducted “large-scale oil operations.”
The reports indicated that these operations allegedly involved the use of ballistic and cruise missiles. Furthermore, the Yemeni group stated that these actions prompted an Iranian-backed rebel faction to lift a maritime blockade that had been in place around Saudi Arabia.
Contrasting this account, one report cited by UKMTO noted that one of the vessels in question had departed from Yanbu prior to the time of the reported attack. The Houthi claims suggest a significant escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, directly involving commercial shipping routes utilized by Saudi Arabia. The assertions regarding the nature and scale of the alleged military operations underscore the ongoing volatility of the maritime environment, prompting international attention to the security status of vital shipping lanes near Yemen.
Topics: #saudi #tankers #yemeni
