The crew of a tanker reported fire in the Red Sea. At the same time, the Houthi militia reported an attack on two Saudi tankers. This is known.
July 23, 2026, 12:48 amJuly 23, 2026, 12:48 am
According to the captain, the ship was hit by an unknown projectile that started a fire, said the British Maritime Safety Authority (UKMTO).
The incident occurred around 70 nautical miles (almost 130 kilometers) southwest of Al-Schukaik in Saudi Arabia.UKMTO
The crew is fighting the fire and no injuries have been reported. The incident occurred around 70 nautical miles (almost 130 kilometers) southwest of Al-Schukaik in Saudi Arabia. The ship’s origins were unclear.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen said around the same time that it had attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers that had violated its declared “blockade” in the Red Sea. This was reported by the militia-controlled Saba news agency. Rockets, cruise missiles and drones were used. Fire broke out on both ships and around ten ships were forced to turn back. It was not clear whether the two messages referred to the same incident.
Militia announces “ban on shipping” for Saudi Arabia
The Houthis announced a “blockade” on Saudi ships on Monday – around a week after a new confrontation with Yemen’s neighbor, with which the militia has been at war for more than ten years. A “ban on shipping” now applies to Saudi Arabia, said Houthi military spokesman Jahja Sari. However, he left it open in which waters the ban should apply.
In Yemen, the Houthis primarily control the north of the country and large parts of the western coast of the Red Sea. From here, with their arsenal of rockets, drones and cruise missiles, they can also attack ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which, together with the Strait of Hormuz, is one of the most important sea routes in the world. Because of the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran War, Saudi Arabia is currently exporting a large portion of its oil via a pipeline from the east to the port of Janbu on the Red Sea.
Important sea route
Since 2023, the Houthis have had a massive impact on world trade with attacks in the Red Sea – at the time in connection with the Gaza war. The sea route from Asia via the Suez Canal to Europe leads through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait (“Gate of Tears” or “Gate of Lamentations”) off Yemen’s coast. (sda/dpa)