**Houthis Claim Strikes on Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea**
Yemen’s Houthi movement has announced that it successfully targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking the first such incident since the group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, who stated that the Saudi-flagged vessels, identified as Encelia and Layla, were struck using missiles and drones.
The attacks were reported on Wednesday, shortly after the Houthis imposed the blockade on Monday. According to Saree, the blockade has already led to a significant shift in maritime traffic, with approximately ten ships altering their courses in response to the new threats.
In a related incident, the UK Maritime Trade Operations coordination center reported that a vessel caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile. This incident occurred approximately 130 kilometers from Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties linked to this attack.
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows a large fire on board a ship, further highlighting the seriousness of the situation in the region.
The recent escalation of hostilities in the Red Sea underscores the ongoing tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which has been involved in a protracted conflict in Yemen since 2015. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have increasingly targeted Saudi interests as part of their military strategy.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Saudi Arabia and the international community will respond to these attacks and the broader implications for maritime security in the Red Sea.