London, August 24: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Monday that an unknown projectile struck a tanker approximately 63 nautical miles (117 km) west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, igniting a fire on the ship’s main deck.
According to security officials from the shipping company, the crew is safe and accounted for. British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech confirmed that a missile attack targeted a Saudi-flagged vessel, resulting in flames onboard.
Yanbu serves as Saudi Arabia’s primary oil port, where millions of barrels of oil are loaded daily. Following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, it has become the main route for Saudi oil exports.
Last month, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a blockade on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, leading to disruptions in shipping from Yanbu.
This incident follows a series of recent attacks in the region. On August 17, the Houthis claimed to have launched a ballistic missile strike on a Saudi landing ship and four escort vessels near the southwestern port city of Mocha.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the operation involved multiple ballistic missiles and was “direct and precise.” He claimed that the landing ship caught fire, while some escort vessels sank and others were set ablaze.
Mocha is a government-controlled port city strategically located near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, making it a crucial maritime chokepoint.
Leave a Comment