On Monday, a tanker was set ablaze off the coast of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea after being struck by an “unknown projectile,” according to a British maritime agency. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was hit on its main deck, but fortunately, all crew members are safe and accounted for, with no environmental damage reported.
The incident occurred approximately 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, a Saudi city located several hundred kilometers from Yemen. British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech indicated that the vessel, which is flagged under Saudi Arabia, was likely struck by a missile, leading to the fire.
This attack comes amid escalating tensions, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces have been targeting Saudi shipping following their declaration of a maritime blockade against the kingdom last month. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the safety of maritime operations in the region, as the Houthis continue to assert their influence over shipping routes.
