Houthis claim second Saudi oil tanker hit; ground clashes reported in southern Yemen

Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility Thursday for striking two Saudi oil tankers, the ENCELIA and LAYLA, with ballistic missiles and drones, enforcing a new maritime blockade. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged an attack on one tanker off the coast of Al-Shuqaiq. Separately, reports indicate ground clashes between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni troops in the Al-Sha'ale area of southern Yemen, with dozens reportedly killed.

The Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia intensified overnight, with the group claiming a second oil tanker strike and reporting ground clashes in southern Yemen.

**The maritime front:** The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers — the ENCELIA and LAYLA — using ballistic missiles and drones, as part of enforcing a new blockade on Saudi Arabia. The group also claimed that 10 ships and oil tankers heeded their warnings and turned back. Saudi Arabia has confirmed an attack on one tanker off the coast of Al-Shuqaiq, setting its bow on fire with no casualties, as The Zioneer reported earlier (08:17). The Houthi claim of a second vessel hit has not been independently verified beyond the Saudi confirmation of a single attack.

**The ground front:** Reports from southern Yemen describe clashes between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni troops in the Al-Sha'ale area, with dozens reportedly killed. The reports are from Houthi-aligned channels and have not been independently confirmed. This follows unverified reports of heavy clashes earlier Thursday (02:14) that claimed approximately 4 fighters killed.

**Context:** The Houthi-Saudi confrontation has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with the Houthis imposing a maritime blockade and striking Saudi vessels and infrastructure. The ground fighting in southern Yemen represents a parallel escalation, though details remain scarce and unverified.

3 developments

1. 2 hours ago · 08:37 · 23 JulLatest

   Saudi Arabia confirms attack on one tanker; vessels identified as ENCELIA, LAYLA.

2. 08:17 · 23 Jul

   Houthis identify the two targeted Saudi oil tankers as ENCELA and LAYLIA.

3. 06:56 · 23 Jul

   Houthis claim to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers for violating naval blockade

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