Houthi Forces Attack Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea Amid Rising Maritime Tensions

On the night of September 25, 2025, the Houthi movement in Yemen announced an attack on two Saudi oil tankers, named Ansalia and Layla, in the Red Sea. The assault involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, resulting in precise hits that caused fires on the vessels. The Houthis claimed the tankers violated a maritime ban they imposed in the Red Sea and vowed to continue maritime operations against Saudi Arabia to enforce a "siege for siege" policy.

The Houthis warned that any military action against Yemen would be met with extensive retaliatory strikes deep inside Saudi territory. This escalation follows a recent declaration by the Houthis of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, threatening to target ships docking at Saudi ports. Earlier in the week, two Saudi oil tankers en route to China and India reversed course in the Red Sea, signaling the impact of the Houthi threat on regional shipping routes.

Despite these developments, there is currently no evidence that the Bab al-Mandab Strait has been closed or that Saudi Arabia is under a full maritime blockade. The Houthis, backed by Iran and controlling northern and western Yemen as well as significant parts of the Red Sea coast, have issued warnings to shipping companies that any vessel loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports could be targeted, even after leaving the area.

This latest confrontation highlights the growing maritime security challenges in the Red Sea amid the ongoing Yemen conflict and regional rivalries involving Saudi Arabia and Iran.