Al-Falih condemns Houthi attack on Saudi oil tanker

Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih has strongly condemned an attack that was carried out by Houthi militants targeting a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea yesterday.

The Saudi-led Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen on Tuesday said its navy had aborted an Iranian-Houthi attempt to attack the oil tanker, while the vessel was in international waters.

"The Houthi terrorist attack on the Saudi oil tanker is only a desperate attempt to influence the security of international waters, and a failed attempt that will not impact economic activity or disrupt oil supply. We are all confident in God first, and in the Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen in confronting these terrorist attempts," Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi energy minister said in a Tweet.

The attack resulted in minor damage to the tanker, “which sailed northwards safely, escorted by a navy vessel,” SPA reported, citing Colonel Turki Al Malki, spokesman of the coalition.

A European Union naval force that operates in the region confirmed the ship was underway, adding that the crew was safe and unharmed, Reuters reported.

Last month, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a number of missiles, and falling debris caused one death in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Al Malki has called for putting Al-Hodeida port under international surveillance, and control and prevent others to use it as military base to launch attacks against navigation routes in the region.