Fire Breaks Out On Saudi Oil Tanker Near Red Sea Port Of Yanbu After Houthi Attack
Yemen’s Houthi group said on Monday it had attacked a Saudi oil tanker near the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Saudi shipping company Bahri confirmed that its vessel Amzan was involved in a maritime incident and said all crew members were safe.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile about 63 nautical miles (117 km) west of Yanbu. The projectile struck the vessel’s main deck and started a fire.
All crew members were safe and accounted for, UKMTO said. There was also no reported environmental impact.
Yanbu is Saudi Arabia’s main oil port on the Red Sea. Millions of barrels of oil are normally loaded there. The port also gives Saudi tankers a route to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran, according to the source material.
The Houthis said the Amzan, operated by Bahri, was hit by a ballistic missile. They said the attack was part of their decision to stop Saudi-linked vessels from using the Red Sea.
The group also said the strike caused a fire on the vessel and forced other ships in the area to leave. The claims have not been independently verified.
Bahri confirmed that the Amzan was involved in a maritime incident but did not say what caused it or what weapon was involved.
“We remain in contact with the vessel and are closely coordinating with the relevant authorities,” the company said. Bahri added that the safety of its crew, protection of the marine environment and safe operation of the vessel remained its priorities.
British maritime security company Vanguard Tech said a Saudi-flagged vessel had been struck by a missile and caught fire.
UKMTO, however, described the weapon only as an “unknown projectile” and said there was no immediate confirmation of the vessel’s flag or the type of weapon used.
The incident comes after the Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea last month. Since then, the group has claimed attacks on Saudi ships and energy facilities, including facilities linked to Aramco in Yanbu.
Saudi authorities have not confirmed those claims.
Growing Pressure on Red Sea Shipping
Shipping around Yanbu has faced disruption since the blockade was announced. The Houthis have carried out further attacks in the region in recent weeks.
The group killed seven people in a Yemeni port and targeted an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, according to the source material.
It also carried out a double-tap attack on a cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait that killed at least six people and wounded 10 others.
The Houthis say they are carrying out the campaign in support of Iran. Iran is seeking to limit global energy supplies to pressure the United States to end the fighting.
References: Al Jazeera, Moneycontrol
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