The Yemeni Houthi group claimed on Monday that its forces fired a missile at the Scarlet Ray, an Israeli-owned tanker sailing under the Liberian flag, near the Saudi port of Yanbu in the Red Sea.

The announcement came a day after British security company Ambrey reported that the tanker had encountered an explosion in the waters southwest of Yanbu. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed it received a report from the vessel.

According to UKMTO, the ship’s crew noticed a splash in the water caused by an unidentified projectile and soon after heard a loud explosion. The crew members were unharmed and the vessel continued toward its next scheduled port.

Ambrey later assessed that the tanker matched the pattern of vessels often targeted by the Houthis, noting that its Israeli ownership was publicly known.

Since 2023, the Iran-backed group has repeatedly attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea they believe are connected to Israel, saying their actions are meant to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Initially, it was uncertain whether the Houthis were directly responsible for the incident, as the group did not immediately issue a statement about the explosion. UKMTO also did not blame any group and said the incident was still under investigation.

Reference: Reuters

Source: www.marineinsight.com