The Houthis close the Bab al-Mandab Strait and target  two Saudi oil tankers

The Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility  for a missile and drone attack on two Saudi oil tankers as they crossed the Red Sea, the ships "Insilia" and "Layla".

 The  Houthis  confirmed in a statement via the "Telegram" application that this operation  came after the two tankers violated the maritime blockade that they recently announced on Saudi shipping.

Targeting details

The General Authority for Transport in Saudi Arabia revealed that the ship (ENCELIA) belonging to a Saudi company was targeted while it was sailing in the Red Sea, which resulted in the outbreak of a fire at the forefront of it.

An official source in the Authority confirmed the safety of all crew members, stressing that the concerned authorities have taken the necessary measures to secure the ship and protect the marine environment, noting that these attacks represent a flagrant violation of international laws and norms.

The British Maritime Control Centre (UKMTO) reported that the captain of one of the tankers reported that it had been hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Saudi Arabia, which caused a fire that the crew worked to extinguish.

The European Maritime Force (Aspides) stressed the high level of risk to ships linked to the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia, advising to avoid sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and to reduce the electronic footprint by reducing the automatic identification information of ships.

Diversion of ship routes and the repercussions of the navigational blockade

Analytical navigational data issued by international agencies and maritime brokerage firm "Clarksons" confirmed that at least 9 oil tankers changed course or re-turned near the Bab al-Mandab Strait to prevent access to Saudi ports, including three ships that had carried oil from the Saudi port of Yanbu.

The sources explained that the Houthis sent direct warning messages to shipping companies, in which they threatened to target any ship that unloads or loads goods to and from Saudi ports, which put pressure on energy supplies and the movement of trade through this corridor, which is crossed by 12% of global trade.

According to Kepler data, the number of ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait decreased to 29 after the blockade was announced, compared to 44 the previous day.

The reports have shown a direct impact on the eastern routes from the port of Yanbu, especially as the lines rely on oil transport to bypass the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could force ships to circumnavigate the Cape of Good Hope and shackle additional weeks of sailing.

US military reinforcements in the region

U.S. Central Command confirmed airstrikes against military targets inside Iran for the 12th night in a row, including naval capabilities, missile storage facilities, and coastal surveillance sites aimed at limiting threats to international navigation.

The U.S. press, citing military officials, noted that the U.S. has pushed for military reinforcements, including special forces, fighter squadrons and medical personnel, to give the administration broader options to deal with regional developments.

Official statements issued by US President Donald Trump revealed threats of a large-scale response and bombing of facilities and infrastructure inside Iran if ships continue to be targeted.

On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced his country's commitment to a firm deterrence policy and to meet any aggression with a strong and direct response.