Houthis claim attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea

DUBAI: Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

The group said it targeted the Saudi-flagged tankers Encelia and Layla after accusing them of violating a recently imposed blockade on Saudi-linked shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Saudi authorities confirmed that one of the vessels caught fire following the attack but said all crew members were safely evacuated. No casualties or significant pollution were reported.

The attacks prompted several commercial vessels to alter their routes, raising concerns over the security of global energy shipments. Shipping analysts warned that any prolonged disruption to traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could force vessels to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to voyages between Asia and Europe.

The Houthis said the attacks were carried out in response to Saudi policies towards Yemen and recent military developments in the region.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the United States continuing military operations against Iranian targets and warning Tehran that it will be held responsible for attacks carried out by the Houthis.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and handles a significant share of global oil shipments and international container trade, making any disruption a major concern for global markets.