Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Thursday it had carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers, claiming the vessels had violated a naval blockade the group announced earlier this week.
In a statement, the Houthis identified the tankers as ENCELIA and LAYLIA, saying they were targeted because they continued operating despite the blockade.
The group did not provide details on the location of the incident, the type of attack or the extent of any damage.
The Saudi Arabian state news agency SPA, citing an official source at the General Transport Authority, said an attack caused a fire on the bow of the tanker Encelia but all crew members were safe. SPA did not say who had targeted the vessel.
Authorities have secured the vessel and its crew and taken measures to protect the marine environment, describing the attack as a violation of international law, SPA reported, citing the source.
The reported attack comes days after the Houthis declared they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, expanding threats to maritime traffic beyond the Red Sea amid heightened regional tensions.
The group announced the blockade on Monday, saying it would target vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. The move followed an escalation in hostilities across the Middle East, including continued U.S. military strikes on Iran and growing threats by Iran-backed groups in the region.
Saudi Arabia has condemned the Houthi announcement, with the Saudi-led coalition warning it would respond "firmly" to any attacks on shipping.
The latest Houthi claim raises concerns over the security of commercial shipping routes that are critical to global energy markets.
Any sustained disruption to oil tanker traffic could affect supplies and add further pressure to energy prices, which have already been volatile amid the widening regional conflict.
Five tankers changed course in the Red Sea on Wednesday, with two signalling the Suez Canal as their new destination after the Houthis warned ships to avoid Saudi ports, ship-tracking data showed.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial and military vessels in regional waters since the outbreak of the Gaza war, saying their operations are aimed at countries they accuse of supporting Israel and its allies.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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