Yemen’s Houthis say they targeted two Saudi oil tankers

The Houthis, the Iran-backed group in Yemen, on Thursday claimed an attack on two Saudi oil tankers transiting through the Red Sea, identified as ENCELA and LAYLIA, saying the vessels violated ‌the ‌naval blockade imposed ‌by the group on Monday, the Guardian reported. 

“We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named ENCELA and LAYLIA, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said. 

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that it had received reports that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile and caught fire in the Red Sea, 70 nautical miles from Saudi Arabia’s Al Shuqaiq.