▲ Houthi rebels (file photo)
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East due to armed clashes between the United States and Iran, an oil tanker was attacked in the Red Sea southwest of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on the 23rd (local time).
Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi rebels, who previously declared a blockade of Saudi waters, claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to Reuters, the UKMTO received a report that an incident occurred about 70 nautical miles (approx. 130 km) southwest of Al-Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, on that day.
The UKMTO stated that no casualties or environmental pollution have been reported so far.
"The captain of the oil tanker reported being hit by an unidentified projectile," the UKMTO explained, adding, "This caused a fire on board, and the crew is currently working to extinguish it."
Shortly after the reports emerged, the Houthi rebels announced that they had carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers.
The Houthi rebels identified the vessels they targeted as the ENCELA and the LAYLIA, claiming that the ships became targets because they violated the maritime blockade previously declared by the group.
Saudi authorities have not yet released an official stance on the attack.
If the Houthi rebels' claims are confirmed, this would mark the first instance of the Houthis attacking a vessel since declaring their maritime blockade.
Previously, the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on the 20th, expressing frustration over Saudi's blockade of Houthi-controlled ports and airports, as well as last week's strike on Sana'a Airport.
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