Baghdad: Saudi state media reported on Thursday that a ship belonging to a local company was targeted in the Red Sea, after the Houthis in Yemen announced they had targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the same waterway. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted an official source as saying that “the ship (ENCELIA), belonging to a Saudi company, was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the bow of the ship,” confirming “the safety of all crew members.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the incident has raised concerns over the security of maritime routes in the region. The attack follows recent tensions involving the Houthis in Yemen, who have been known to target vessels in strategic waterways. The Saudi authorities have not disclosed further details about the extent of the damage to the ship or the potential impact on shipping operations in the area.