Amid rising tensions in the Middle East due to military clashes between the U.S. and Iran, an oil tanker was attacked in the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia, resulting in a fire. The Iran-aligned Houthi rebel group claimed to have targeted two Saudi oil tankers.
According to Reuters on July 23, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 70 nautical miles (about 130 kilometers) southwest of Al Shuqaiq in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The attacked vessel caught fire, and crew members are currently working to extinguish the flames. No casualties or marine pollution have been reported so far.
The Houthis later claimed they conducted military operations against the Saudi tankers 'ENCELA' and 'LAYLIA,' stating that the vessels were targeted for violating a maritime blockade they had declared. However, UKMTO did not disclose the name of the attacked tanker, leaving it unclear whether it was one of the two vessels the Houthis claimed to have targeted. Saudi authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack.
On July 20, the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the blockade of Houthi-controlled ports and airports in Yemen and attacks on Sana'a airport.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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