Yemen’s Houthi group said it attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday, claiming the vessels had violated a naval blockade imposed by the group against Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, the Houthis said the operation targeted the tankers “ENCELA” and “LAYLA” using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. The group claimed the strikes were precise and caused large fires to break out on both vessels.
The Houthis said the attack was carried out as part of what they described as the “equation of a siege for a siege,” referring to what they called the “unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen by Saudi Arabia over the past 12 years. The group also claimed it forced nearly 10 ships to retreat after the operation.
Maritime Security Agencies Warn of Heightened Threat
The attack comes after the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a US Navy-led maritime security group based in Bahrain, warned that the Houthis had completed preparations to target commercial shipping near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to a notice issued Tuesday, sources close to the group said the Houthis had deployed missiles and drones near the strategic waterway and were prepared to attack ships transiting the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The European Union’s naval mission also warned on Wednesday that merchant vessels linked to Israeli, US,or Saudi interests should avoid sailing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases.
The Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday, saying vessels loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports were prohibited from transiting the area. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a key route for global trade.
According to Kpler data, Saudi oil exports through the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea rose to 3.5 million barrels per day in June, compared with 240,000 barrels per day during the same period last year.
While the JMIC said commercial shipping continued without attacks during the previous two days and assessed the overall threat level as “moderate,” ship-tracking firm Kpler reported a 34% decline in traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb on Tuesday after the Houthis announced the embargo. Windward also said four tankers carrying Saudi cargo turned back before reaching the strait.