Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched missile and drone strikes against two Saudi-flagged oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, in the Red Sea on Wednesday. The attack occurred off the southwest coast of Saudi Arabia, near the city of Al-Shuqaiq. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed the operation via X, stating the vessels were targeted for violating a naval blockade the group imposed on Saudi Arabian ports on Monday.
Houthi Forces Target Saudi Tankers in Red Sea
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Al-Shuqaiq. The impact caused a fire on board that the crew worked to extinguish. UKMTO confirmed there were no reported casualties and no environmental impact resulting from the strike.
Maritime Embargo Escalates Regional Conflict
The strikes on the Encelia and the Layla represent a significant expansion of the regional conflict, effectively opening a second front in the broader US-Iran war. The Houthi naval embargo was declared on Monday, with Saree framing the action as a response to Saudi military operations under an “eye for an eye” doctrine.
Prior to Wednesday’s attack, the threat of the blockade had already disrupted energy transit through the Red Sea. On Tuesday, two other oil tankers carrying Saudi crude, which were bound for India and China, were forced to reverse course after receiving warnings from the rebels. These vessels had previously loaded crude at the Saudi port of Yanbu. Houthi forces claimed that in addition to the two tankers struck on Wednesday, they forced ten other vessels to turn around. Saudi Arabia has pledged to deploy all lawful measures under international law to protect its shipping interests.
For more on this story, see Houthis Declare Maritime Blockade on Saudi Arabia Threatening Oil Supplies.
US Military Response and Regional Tensions
The Houthi offensive coincides with an intensification of hostilities between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, US Central Command announced it had initiated its 12th consecutive day of strikes against Iranian military targets. The mission, which began at 5:30 p.m. ET, is intended to degrade Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial vessels and civilian mariners in regional waters.
 "Photo: firstpost.com")
The ongoing conflict has placed immense pressure on global energy markets. Brent crude prices surged, briefly exceeding $95 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time in nearly six weeks, before settling with a gain of approximately three percent. The volatility reflects growing concerns over the security of the Red Sea, a critical energy corridor that has become increasingly vital as the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has forced Saudi Arabia to rely on its east-west pipeline to transport crude to Yanbu.
This follows our earlier report, Yemen Houthi Rebels Declare Naval Blockade Against Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Stakes in the Red Sea
The situation remains volatile, with both sides exchanging threats of further escalation. While Houthi rebels have focused on the Red Sea, Iranian-backed forces have also targeted US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. In response to the broader regional threats, Kuwait’s army reported that its air defenses were intercepting hostile drones, while Jordan confirmed the destruction of incoming missiles and drones.
US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is prepared to intervene if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is blocked, though he noted that the strait had not yet been fully closed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that the conflict has cost the United States US$37.5 billion to date. As the maritime blockade persists, the security of regional shipping routes remains a primary concern for international markets and military planners alike.
Read also: Houthi Forces Attack Saudi Airport After Yemeni Strike on Sanaa Runway.
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