Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on two Saudi oil tankers

Iran-aligned Houthi forces announced they had targeted two Saudi-flagged oil tankers, the ENCELA and LAYLIA, transiting the Red Sea in violation of a recently declared maritime blockade. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the operation employed ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aircraft. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed receiving reports that at least one vessel had been struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire that crew members were actively combating.

The claimed attacks represent an escalation of tensions that intensified following the Houthis' announcement of a naval embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20. That declaration followed significant violence in Yemen, including the government's bombing of Sanaa Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. Saudi Arabia has disputed Houthi characterizations of a siege on Yemen's civilian population.

The Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait have become increasingly critical to global energy security as alternative shipping routes gain importance. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran since late February, disruptions to the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint could have severe consequences for worldwide oil and gas supplies. In 2024, approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined products transited the strait, representing roughly five percent of global petroleum trade.

The Houthis previously disrupted shipping in the region following Israel's military operations in Gaza beginning in October 2023, with attacks continuing until a ceasefire announcement in October 2025. Closure of both major Middle Eastern maritime passages could restrict approximately 25 percent of the world's oil and gas supply.