Houthis Claim Attack on Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea, Raising Fears of Global Energy Supply Disruptions
SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers transiting the Red Sea, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes and raising concerns over global energy supplies.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the attacks targeted the Saudi oil tankers Ancilia and Leila, alleging that the vessels had violated what the group described as a maritime blockade imposed against Saudi Arabia. He said the ships were targeted using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, claiming that both vessels caught fire as a result of the strikes.
According to the statement, Houthi forces also compelled nearly ten other commercial vessels to alter their routes or turn back amid the heightened security threat in the region.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that one of its vessels came under attack and caught fire. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing sources from the Saudi General Transport Authority, reported that a fire broke out in the forward section of the Ancilia following the attack. Saudi authorities and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) have stated that all crew members are safe and that efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing.
Saudi Arabia condemned the attack as a blatant violation of international maritime law and called for the protection of global shipping lanes.
The Houthi announcement follows the group’s declaration on July 20 of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. The development came after strikes on Sana’a Airport, controlled by the Houthis, which were reportedly carried out to prevent the landing of an Iranian aircraft. In response, the Houthis vowed to retaliate and enforce their maritime restrictions.
The latest escalation comes at a time of heightened regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Concerns have already been mounting over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking to export oil through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait as an alternative route. Analysts warn that if maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandab is significantly disrupted in addition to any restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, nearly a quarter of the world’s oil and gas supplies could face severe disruptions, potentially triggering a major global energy crisis.
The developments have intensified international concerns over the security of vital maritime corridors that underpin global trade and energy markets.
