Ankara: Yemen's Houthi group announced early Thursday that they conducted a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers using ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.

According to Anadolu Agency, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the operation aimed at the Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla, accusing them of breaching the group's maritime blockade. Saree claimed that the strikes achieved direct hits, leading nearly 10 vessels to turn back and retreat. He emphasized that the group's armed forces would persist with maritime operations against Saudi Arabia, maintaining a 'blockade-for-blockade' stance. Furthermore, Saree warned that any attack on Yemen would provoke significant operations deep within Saudi territory.

Earlier reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency indicated that a fire erupted on a tanker following a strike by a projectile approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shaqiq, Saudi Arabia. The agency noted that authorities were investigating the incident. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA), as cited by the official SPA news agency, confirmed the targeting of the Encelia while it was navigating the Red Sea, which resulted in a fire at the vessel's bow.

An official source at the TGA confirmed that all crew members were unharmed and that relevant authorities had implemented measures to secure the vessel, its crew, and safeguard the marine environment. The source also described the attack as a breach of international laws and conventions that protect the safety of commercial vessels and their crews. In response to recent tensions, the Houthis announced a ban on maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia on Monday, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to promise a 'firm and forceful' response and initiate measures to protect ships traversing the Bab al-Mandab Strait.