Tensions Escalate: Houthis Attack Two Saudi Oil Tankers in the Red Sea
The Houthi movement has claimed it attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in a military operation, accusing the vessels of violating a naval blockade imposed in Red Sea waters.
Saudi authorities, in a separate statement, acknowledged that one of the two tankers caught fire after being attacked whilst sailing in the Red Sea.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who are based in Yemen, said in a statement on Thursday (23/7/2026), as reported by Reuters, that their forces had attacked two Saudi tankers identified as the ENCELIA and the LAYLA.
According to the Houthis, the tankers had violated the naval blockade they had imposed on Saudi Arabia in Red Sea waters.
The group claimed its forces targeted the tankers with a number of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
The naval blockade against Saudi Arabia announced by the Houthis was declared on Monday (20 July) local time, with the group warning that ships must not deliver or unload cargo at Saudi ports, or they would become targets of attack.
The Houthi move opens a potential new front as the United States remains in conflict with Iran, increasing the threat to global energy supplies and to trade beyond the Gulf region.
Saudi Arabia reacted sharply to the naval blockade, with the Saudi-led military coalition for operations in Yemen vowing to respond “firmly” to any Houthi threat.
Saudi Arabia confirms one tanker ablaze in the Red Sea
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), quoting an official source from the Public Transport Authority, said a vessel owned by a Saudi company came under attack whilst sailing in the Red Sea and caught fire.
“The ENCELIA, a vessel owned by a Saudi company, was targeted in an attack whilst sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the bow of the ship,” the SPA reported.
The SPA added that the entire crew had been confirmed safe. The report did not explicitly identify the source or perpetrator behind the attack.
According to the SPA, Saudi authorities had secured the vessel and its crew and taken steps to protect the marine environment. Riyadh described the attack as a violation of international law.
Separately, a maritime security source said on Thursday (23/7) that the ENCELIA had issued an emergency call via VHF radio reporting that it had been hit by a missile whilst operating on the outer limits of the Saudi port of Jizan, in Red Sea waters, and had caught fire.
The attack on the ENCELIA was also reported by the British maritime risk management group Vanguard, which said the tanker was struck in waters 130 kilometres southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia.
Vanguard also reported that the Houthis had claimed responsibility for the attack and said they had struck a second vessel, the LAYLA.
In the same statement claiming responsibility for the attacks on the two tankers, the Houthis also said they had forced around 10 vessels in the Red Sea to turn back.