Explosion near Israeli-owned tanker off Red Sea port of Yanbu
3 Min Read
A Liberia-flagged Israeli-owned tanker reported an explosion near Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu.
-
Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel cuts in front of the US Coast Guard ship USCGC Monomoy in the Persian Gulf. (AP)
British maritime security firm Ambrey reported on Sunday that a Liberia-flagged, Israeli-owned tanker experienced an explosion nearby while sailing southwest of the Saudi port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel’s crew reported “a splash in close proximity from an unknown projectile and heard a loud bang.” UKMTO confirmed that the crew was unharmed and the tanker continued its voyage.
Possible link to Yemen’s Ansar Allah
In an update, Ambrey assessed that the vessel was “aligned with the targets of Yemen’s Ansar Allah profile,” noting that it was publicly identified as Israeli-owned.
Since 2023, Ansar Allah has targeted vessels in the Red Sea that they deem connected to "Israel," framing the attacks as part of their support for Palestinians in Gaza.
YAF chief warns 'Israel': 'You have opened the gates of hell'
The Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, Major General Mohammed al-Ghamari, condemned the assassination of Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad al-Rahawi and several ministers in the recent Israeli strikes on Sanaa. He stressed that such crimes will not deter Yemen from its firm and supportive stance toward Palestine.
Addressing the occupation directly, Major General al-Ghamari warned, “Know well that by committing this heinous crime, you have opened the gates of hell upon yourselves.”
The attack on Sanaa on Thursday resulted in the martyrdom of al-Rahawi and several government ministers after occupation forces struck civilian neighborhoods in the capital. Yemeni officials quickly pledged retaliation, vowing that the aggression would not go unanswered.
Major General al-Ghamari emphasized that the Yemeni response will be “harsh and painful,” pointing to effective strategic military options under consideration. He assured the leadership and the people: “You will hear soon and see with your own eyes what will heal your hearts.”
He further pledged that the Yemeni armed forces will continue to advance their strategic military capabilities, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to confront the ongoing aggression.
Al-Ghamari affirmed that the assassination of Yemeni officials and the bombing of Sanaa’s civilian neighborhoods will not shake Yemen’s position. He reiterated that Yemen’s support for Palestine remains steadfast, declaring that retaliation will continue “until the aggression stops and the siege is lifted, whatever the sacrifices.”
