The Iranian-aligned Houthis on Thursday claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, saying the attacks were part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

The tankers were identified as the Encelia and the Layla.

The Yemen-based militants control areas near the Bab El Mandeb Strait, at the opposite end of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz.

All crew safe

Later, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday that all crew members of the Saudi-owned Encelia are safe, citing an official source at the General Transport Authority.

Encelia was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire at the front of the ship, according to the source.

The source said the authorities had taken necessary measures to secure the vessel and crew and protect the marine environment.

Tanker sent a distress call

Earlier, a maritime security source said Encelia had transmitted a distress call, reporting it had been struck ​by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan in the Red Sea late on Wednesday.

British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the Saudi-flagged tanker was struck by an unknown projectile about 70 nautical miles southwest of Saudi Arabia’s ​Al Shuqaiq.

On Monday, Houthis said they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move some analysts viewed as a tactic by Iran to gain more leverage in the war with the United States.

Five tankers had changed course in the ​Red Sea to avoid the Bab El Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, and three tankers loaded with Saudi oil for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday.