Riyadh-based media reported Thursday morning that a Saudi-owned vessel was attacked in the Red Sea, confirming earlier reports of a Houthi strike on a Saudi oil tanker. No details on the ship's identity, extent of damage, or casualties have been released.
Riyadh-based media confirmed early Thursday that a Saudi-owned vessel was attacked in the Red Sea, corroborating the Houthi movement's earlier claim of responsibility for striking a Saudi oil tanker. The confirmation from Saudi state-aligned outlets marks the first official acknowledgment from Riyadh, adding state-level credibility to what had been a series of unverified and Houthi-sourced reports.
The story thread began at 00:39 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported AIS tracking data showing the Saudi oil tanker ENCELIA slowing, followed minutes later by reports that the Saudi tanker Ansilia—carrying 110,000 metric tons of crude oil—was ablaze. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) subsequently confirmed a Houthi attack 70 nautical miles off Al-Shuwaik. The Houthis then claimed responsibility for striking two tankers, and unverified footage showed a vessel engulfed in flames. By 00:39, the Houthis had formally claimed the attack. The Saudi confirmation now ties the thread together with official state backing.
The Zioneer has reported on a series of maritime attacks in the region over recent weeks: a ship attacked off Qatar (Tue Jul 21, 13:04 Jerusalem), multiple civilian ships in the Gulf (Mon Jul 13, 22:19 Jerusalem), a cargo vessel southwest of Yemen's Al Hudaydah port (Mon Jul 13, 16:50 Jerusalem), and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz (Wed Jul 8, 14:08 Jerusalem and Mon Jul 13, 23:12 Jerusalem). The Houthis have previously warned that renewed fighting in the Bab el-Mandeb strait could force international shipping to reroute around Africa.
No details on the attacked vessel's identity, the extent of damage, or any casualties have been released by Saudi sources. The situation remains developing; further information is expected.
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