A Saudi oil tanker that was previously attacked by Yemen's Houthi movement is on fire in the Red Sea, according to reports. The extent of damage and any casualties are not yet known.
The fire on the Saudi oil tanker Ansilia, which was attacked by Yemen's Houthi movement, has been confirmed, according to reports. The tanker, carrying 110,000 metric tons of crude oil, is burning in the Red Sea. This development follows a series of reports earlier tonight.
At 00:39 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that AIS data showed the tanker ENCELIA slowing, coinciding with a Houthi announcement of an upcoming military statement. Shortly thereafter, the vessel was identified as the Saudi royal tanker Ansilia, ablaze with a full cargo. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) then confirmed a Houthi attack on a Saudi oil tanker 70 nautical miles off Al-Shuwaik. The fire is now confirmed, though the extent of damage and crew status remain unverified.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Houthi maritime attacks, including a fire on a vessel struck by an unknown object off Saudi Arabia (published at Thu 00:27 Jerusalem), as well as multiple attacks on oil tankers and container vessels in recent weeks. These incidents are part of an escalating Houthi campaign against shipping in the region.
What remains open: The status of the crew, the extent of the fire and potential oil spill, and whether the fire can be contained. No official statement from Saudi authorities has been released yet.
5 developments
- DevelopingOil tanker attacked by small boats off Yemen's Aden coast, report says
- DevelopingHouthi fast attack boats strike oil tanker near the Gulf of Aden
- DevelopingOil tanker attacked near Yemen's northern border, report says
- DevelopingOil product tanker attacked off Yemen's Ash Shihr — UKMTO reports
Source and signal
- Internal intake