The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers, the ENCELA and LAYLA, in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, according to N12. The group also said it forced about ten ships to turn back. In a separate statement, the Houthis warned of continued maritime operations and threatened large-scale actions inside Saudi Arabia if aggression against their state continues. The claims have not been independently verified.
The Houthi movement in Yemen tonight named two Saudi oil tankers, ENCELA and LAYLA, as the targets of their claimed attack in the Red Sea, and threatened further operations inside Saudi Arabia if aggression against their state continues. The threat marks a new escalation in the group's maritime campaign.
The claim is the latest in a rapid sequence of statements from the Houthis starting at 00:15 Jerusalem. The first reports indicated a Saudi oil tanker was hit by a missile off Yemen. The vessel was then identified as a Saudi tanker carrying 500,000 barrels of oil. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed a tanker was struck by a projectile and on fire. The Houthi military spokesman then claimed responsibility for the attack, linking it to the enforcement of a naval blockade. The group later said it struck two tankers and forced about ten other vessels to turn back. The statements then named the tankers as ENCELA and LAYLIA—spelled ENCELA and LAYLA in the latest update—and threatened large-scale operations inside Saudi territory. All claims from the Houthis remain unverified by independent sources.
The Houthi escalation comes after the group warned vessels against docking at Saudi ports, leading five oil tankers to reroute in the Red Sea on Wednesday, as The Zioneer reported. The Houthis have also previously claimed attacks on Israeli-linked shipping and other targets.
No independent confirmation of the attack has been received, and Saudi authorities have not commented. The extent of damage to the tankers and the status of their crews remain unknown.
11 developments
- DevelopingUS aerial tankers switch transponders back on above Saudi Arabia
- DevelopingSanction-busting oil tanker evades US Navy blockade by disabling AIS off Iran
- StrongOil tanker reports small boat approaching in Gulf of Aden; no damage or injuries
- StrongSaudi Arabia declares all-clear after security incident
Source and signal
- Internal intake