Saudi Arabia confirmed on Thursday that the tanker "Encelia," belonging to a Saudi company, was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire on the vessel's bow. All crew members are reported to be safe.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), an official source from the General Transport Authority stated that specialized authorities immediately initiated necessary procedures to secure the ship, ensure crew safety, and implement measures to protect the marine environment from any potential impact.
The source emphasized that targeting commercial vessels constitutes a violation of international laws and norms that guarantee freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial ships and their crews, in light of escalating threats to maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
This confirmation from Saudi Arabia followed hours after the Houthi militia claimed responsibility for targeting two Saudi oil tankers, "Encelia" and "Lilly," alleging that the ships violated a maritime blockade imposed on the Kingdom. The military spokesman for the group, Yahya Saree, stated that the attack was carried out using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Maritime security sources had previously reported that the tanker "Encelia" sent a distress call after being hit by a missile attack while sailing near the outer boundaries of the Saudi port of Jizan, which led to a fire on board. The British maritime risk management group Vanguard stated that the starboard side of the tanker was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of the Saudi city of Al Shuqaiq, around 8:00 PM GMT, confirming that the incident caused a fire on the ship.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported receiving notification of an incident in the same area, where the master of an oil tanker reported his vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire. Crew members worked to contain the flames, and no casualties or environmental damage have been reported.
While the UKMTO did not identify the targeted vessel, the incident's location and circumstances align with information provided by Vanguard regarding the "Encelia." Vanguard also noted the Houthi claim of responsibility for targeting a second tanker, "Lilly," though independent confirmation is still pending. The group also claimed to have forced approximately ten ships to change course.
