![Houthi Rebels Report Strikes on Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea</TITLE]Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi Arabian oil tankers navigating the Red Sea.Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated on Wednesday, “We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named ENCELA and LAYLIA, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces.”Saree noted that the operation utilized a combination of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.While Saudi Arabia has yet to issue a formal response, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving reports of a strike. According to the UKMTO, a vessel’s master reported being hit by an unidentified projectile, resulting in an onboard fire that the crew is currently working to extinguish.The escalation follows the Houthi movement’s decision on July 20 to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. This move comes amidst heightened volatility in Yemen, following recent airstrikes by the Yemeni government on Sanaa Airport intended to intercept Iranian flights.Saudi Arabia has consistently denied Houthi allegations regarding a siege on the Yemeni population. Additionally, critics of the Houthi movement have highlighted their refusal to accept a Jordanian proposal to restore flight connections between Amman and Sanaa.As the US-Israel conflict with Iran has caused significant disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has sought to utilize alternative routes through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to maintain oil supplies. However, these routes are now facing direct threats from Houthi operations.The Houthi campaign against shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait began in October 2023, following the start of the conflict in Gaza, and continued through the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire in October 2025.The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital global maritime artery, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. At its narrowest, the chokepoint is only 29km wide, restricting traffic to two channels for vessels moving toward or away from the Suez Canal.In 2024, approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude and refined petroleum products—roughly five percent of the global supply—traversed this strait. Given the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war with Iran, any closure of the Bab al-Mandeb could potentially obstruct up to 25 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply.](https://i2.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ap_6a613e7ed9b96-1784757886.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Houthi Rebels Report Strikes on Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea</TITLE]Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi Arabian oil tankers navigating the Red Sea.Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated on Wednesday, “We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named ENCELA and LAYLIA, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces.”Saree noted that the operation utilized a combination of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.While Saudi Arabia has yet to issue a formal response, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving reports of a strike. According to the UKMTO, a vessel’s master reported being hit by an unidentified projectile, resulting in an onboard fire that the crew is currently working to extinguish.The escalation follows the Houthi movement’s decision on July 20 to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. This move comes amidst heightened volatility in Yemen, following recent airstrikes by the Yemeni government on Sanaa Airport intended to intercept Iranian flights.Saudi Arabia has consistently denied Houthi allegations regarding a siege on the Yemeni population. Additionally, critics of the Houthi movement have highlighted their refusal to accept a Jordanian proposal to restore flight connections between Amman and Sanaa.As the US-Israel conflict with Iran has caused significant disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has sought to utilize alternative routes through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to maintain oil supplies. However, these routes are now facing direct threats from Houthi operations.The Houthi campaign against shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait began in October 2023, following the start of the conflict in Gaza, and continued through the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire in October 2025.The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital global maritime artery, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. At its narrowest, the chokepoint is only 29km wide, restricting traffic to two channels for vessels moving toward or away from the Suez Canal.In 2024, approximately 4.1 billion barrels of crude and refined petroleum products—roughly five percent of the global supply—traversed this strait. Given the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war with Iran, any closure of the Bab al-Mandeb could potentially obstruct up to 25 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply.")
Welsh Fire 138 for 4 (Salt 47*) beat Southern Brave 135 for 7 (Miller 44, Rew 41) by six wickets.
Welsh Fire delivered a composed matrimonial performance, securing their first victory against Southern Brave and opening their 2026 campaign in The Hundred.slf men’s competition.Phil Salt emerged as the match‑winner, batting through the gchar, unbeaten 47. He sent a triumphal boundary at mid‑wicket from Chris Jordan’s length ball, clinching the win with two deliveries to spare.The Fire had the advantage from the outset, but a close finish was unavoidable. Salt’s 49‑run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (24 from 16) appeared decisive until Ravindra was dismissed by Nikhil Chaudhary’s leg‑spin, causing the chase to stall.
With 20 balls remaining, the Fire required just 19 runs. However, Adil Rashid delivered five unnecessary balls for a single, giving the crowd of 8,452 a much‑needed reversal ofuong. Jofra Archer’s subsequent over yielded only nine runs, leaving the Fire needing nine off five.
Salt’s composure, coupled with a boundary from Asa Tribe, ensured that the Fire secured victory.
Fielding discipline was exemplary. Bowling first over a tacky pitch, the seamers varied pace effectively. Chris Woakes, Sam Cook and Marco Jansen restricted the Brave, conceding just 72 from 60 balls.
Cook launched the attack with a graceful leg‑cutter to dismiss Jamie Smith. Opener Ben Mcolves was taken out by a crisp boundary catch from Ravindra, paving the way for David Miller, who was joined by 18‑year‑old Thomas Rew, who delivered an impressive 41 from 30 balls in his maiden innings.Miller paced the innings deliberately, taking 18 balls to score his first 10 runs. The momentum faltered further when Tristan Stubbs fell for just 4, caught by Ben Kellaway.
Subsequently, Miller added 34 runs from his next 17 balls before being dismissed by a lethal drop from Ravindra on the penultimate ball. Though the total of 135–7 was challenging on a two‑pacer surfaces, Salt’s.gifty final innings was pivotal, guiding the Fire to their first win over the Brave in nine attempts.
Meerkat Match Hero Phil Salt said: “It certainly wasn’t easy out there. The toss was advantageous for us, giving us the chance to chase a target, and we’re very pleased with the result.”
“Sizing up the conditions, I benefited significantly from the advantage of keeping. However, low‑scoring games demand that you field deeper and push harder to make an impact,” he added. astorep>
“Rachin’s innings was critical in the middle phase of the game. We clearly understood that I would anchor the innings while he relieved the pressure, lowering the deficit to approximately a run a ball — an essential knock for us.”
“We were electric in the field. There were superb catches on display. Bowling-wise, we targeted the right areas. We see a bright future.ethereum in all departments. I’m genuinely delighted with the group of lads we have.”
