Yemen and the Red Sea

Houthis strike Saudi oil tanker Encelia in Red Sea

This version is a correction.

ATTACK
Location
Near Jizan, Red Sea
Actors
Houthis · Saudi Arabia · United States
Importance
Major

Houthi forces said they hit Saudi-linked oil tankers in the Red Sea; maritime reporting and Saudi state media described a missile strike and fire on the tanker Encelia near Jizan.

After announcing a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, the Houthis said their forces carried out missile and drone strikes on Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla. A maritime security source told Reuters that Encelia transmitted a distress call after a missile strike near the Saudi port of Jizan late on Wednesday 22 July 2026; Saudi state news agency SPA said the strike caused a fire at the bow. Reuters could not immediately confirm the claimed attack on Layla. This record focuses on the better-sourced Encelia incident.

  • Energy: Best 1 tanker_strike_incidents · Confidence: Probable · Evidence: Trump vows to punish Iran for Houthi attacks in Red Sea; oil surges over $100 · At least one Saudi-linked tanker was reported struck and on fire; wider flow impact was still developing.
  • Maritime: Best 1 chokepoint_escalation_flag · Confidence: Confirmed · Evidence: Trump vows to punish Iran for Houthi attacks in Red Sea; oil surges over $100 · Reporting framed the attacks as extending the war to a second major shipping chokepoint after Hormuz.

Verification: Probable

Evidence: Trump vows to punish Iran for Houthi attacks in Red Sea; oil surges over $100, Houthis say they attacked two Saudi tankers; Saudi Arabia says one ablaze in Red Sea

Encelia distress and SPA fire report corroborate Houthi claims for at least one tanker; second vessel remains less confirmed.