Full Breakdown
Houthis Claim Attack on Two Saudi Oil Tankers Amid Ongoing Maritime Blockade
7/23/2026, 1:05:21 PM
Claimed Attack on ENCELA and LAYLIA
He said the attacks caused fires aboard the vessels. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker’s master reported being hit by an unknown projectile that ignited a fire, and that the crew was fighting the blaze. No casualties were reported. Saudi authorities have not issued a comment on the claim.
Blockade and Regional Shipping Context
The Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia that took effect on July 20, describing it as “an eye for an eye” retaliation for what they call a Saudi blockade. The embargo follows a series of Houthi attacks on shipping near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after the October 2023 escalation linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, only 29 km wide at its narrowest, handles roughly 5 percent of global oil flow—about 4.1 billion barrels in 2024. Analysts note that if the strait were shut while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, up to 25 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply could be disrupted.
Official Statements and Reactions
The UKMTO’s report provides the only independent verification of an incident at sea, describing the projectile strike and ensuing fire.
Potential Global Impact
The claimed attack underscores the vulnerability of Red Sea routes that Saudi Arabia has been using to offset disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Continued Houthi operations could force oil shippers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, raising transportation costs and tightening global supply. The incident also highlights the broader risk that regional proxy conflicts pose to international energy markets.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The master of a tanker reports being struck by an unknown projectile which has caused a fire onboard that the crew are currently fighting,” — UKMTO
- “The Houthi forces announce a maritime embargo against the Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye,’ which enters into force immediately upon the publication of this statement. In addition, we affirm our people’s right to respond to a blockade with a blockade, and to respond to any escalation with escalation.” — Yahya Saree, houthi military spokesperson
