Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a coordinated missile and drone attack on two Saudi oil tankers, ‘Enselia’ and ‘Layla,’ in the Red Sea, according to a report published on July 23, 2026. The group claimed both vessels caught fire after being hit by ballistic and cruise missiles. The Houthis said the assault was a response to what they described as Saudi Arabia’s twelve-year blockade on Yemen and declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in return.

The UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) confirmed an attack on a vessel about 130 kilometers off the Saudi coast, reporting a fire but no immediate information on casualties or damage. Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA confirmed that the ‘Enselia’ tanker was struck, causing a fire at its bow. A General Transport Authority official stated that all crew members were safe and that measures were being taken to protect the vessel and the marine environment.

The incident follows the Houthis’ earlier warning that Saudi ships would be barred from using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key Red Sea passage.