Hyderabad, July 23 -- Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Thursday, July 23, to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a fresh escalation in regional tensions and raising concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

In a post on X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted the Saudi-owned tankers Encelia and Layla for allegedly violating a blockade imposed by the Yemeni Armed Forces. He said the operation was carried out using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

Saree also claimed the attack forced nearly 10 commercial vessels to abandon their routes and turn back.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the Saudi-owned tanker Encelia cau...