Red Sea: Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility on Wednesday for launching a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The development follows recent military strikes on Sanaa International Airport, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced in a Telegram statement that the group targeted the vessels ENCELIA and LAYLA using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Saree claimed the strikes resulted in fires aboard both vessels, framing the attack as enforcement of a newly declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under a “siege for a siege” principle. According to statement details released by the Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi Transport General Authority confirmed an attack on the Saudi-owned vessel ENCELIA, which suffered a fire at its bow while transiting the Red Sea, though all crew members were reported safe.
The maritime engagement comes days after military strikes targeted the runway at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport. The airport strike was carried out to prevent an Iranian Mahan Air flight carrying a returning Houthi delegation from landing, prompting the rebel group to declare an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. Warning of wider consequences if regional tensions persist, Houthi representatives cautioned that further military action against Yemen would trigger expanded operations directed deep inside Saudi territory.
