Houthi Attacks Saudi Tanker, IMO Warns of Threat to Trade Route Stability

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, said attacks on ships in the Red Sea endanger trade routes and supply chain stability.

The Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, attacked two Saudi tankers with missiles and drones for violating their navigation ban in the Red Sea.

Previously on Wednesday, July 22, the Saudi Public Transport Authority confirmed an attack on the Encelia tanker in the Red Sea, which resulted in a fire.

"The Red Sea is a very important maritime corridor for international trade. Continued attacks on ships in this region risk increasing tensions, further disrupting trade routes, and undermining the principle of freedom of navigation," Dominguez said, as quoted by the IMO press service.

He called for de-escalation and said the attacks threatened the lives of sailors, the safety of international shipping, the marine environment, and the stability of global supply chains.

Dominguez also expressed concern over the possible environmental pollution caused by the incident.