SANA’A (Monitoring Desk): Yemen’s Houthi movement Ansar Allah has claimed that it targeted two Saudi oil tankers. The Houthis said the vessels were traveling in violation of the naval restrictions announced by the group.
In a statement issued by Ansar Allah, it was said that the action was carried out against the ships that continued their journey despite warnings. The Houthi group maintains that the move was a response to the restrictions and blockade imposed on Yemen.
Meanwhile, according to Saudi state media, a Saudi-owned oil tanker traveling in the Red Sea was targeted, after which a fire broke out in the front section of the vessel. However, all crew members remained safe and no casualties were reported.
Earlier, a British maritime security agency had also reported that a fire broke out on a ship approximately 70 nautical miles from the Saudi coastal city of Al-Shaqiq.
According to the ship’s captain, the fire started after a missile attack. Initial information indicated that there were no casualties and no reports of damage to the marine environment.
It is worth mentioning that a few days earlier, Houthi organization Ansar Allah had announced naval restrictions against Saudi Arabia. The group’s spokesperson said the decision was taken in response to the ongoing blockade of Yemen and the closure of Sana’a Airport.
The Houthis had warned that if restrictions and the blockade on Yemen were not lifted, they could target the movement of Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.
According to analysts, attacks on commercial ships and announcements of naval restrictions in the Red Sea could pose further risks to global maritime trade, oil supplies, and regional security.