Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said its forces have attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea that had "violated" its blockade of Saudi ports, reports BBC News.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group targeted the Saudi-flagged tankers Encelia and Layla with missiles and drones, adding that the Houthis would "continue their naval operations against the Saudi enemy," and "persist in enforcing the 'siege for a siege' equation."
The official Saudi news agency confirmed that one tanker was hit on July 22, causing a fire onboard. According to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency, an "unknown projectile" struck a tanker about 70 nautical miles south-west of al-Shuqaiq, on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, at 20:00 GMT (23:00 local time). The attack caused a fire on board but no casualties, the UKMTO said.
On July 23, President Donald Trump warned the Houthis further attacks on shipping would result in "major military punishment" upon both them and Iran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also said a tanker caught fire following an explosion in a mined route in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed.
