The Houthis claimed to have struck the Saudi tanker Layla in the Bab al-Mandab on 22 July, in the same action as the confirmed strike on the tanker Encelia, but Saudi authorities have not confirmed the Layla was hit. The claim came as part of a wider Houthi-declared blockade of Saudi-linked shipping that has cut Saudi crude loadings through the strait by 36% over two weeks.

The unconfirmed claim added to the market shock from the Encelia strike: Brent Crude crossed $100 a barrel within a day, its first time above that level since 26 May, and at least seven vessels diverted away from the strait as a precaution.

Common Questions

Why did Brent crude jump after the Layla and Encelia claims?

Traders tied Brent's rise above $100 a barrel directly to the tanker strikes, including the unconfirmed Layla claim.Source: event

Where did the Houthis claim to strike the Layla?

The Houthis said the strike happened in the Bab al-Mandab strait on 22 July, the same action in which the Encelia was hit.Source: event

Did the Houthis strike the tanker Layla?

The Houthis claimed to have struck the Layla on 22 July, but Saudi authorities have not confirmed the hit.Source: Houthi claim, unconfirmed by Saudi Arabia

How the World Sees Them

Houthis

The Houthis claim to have struck the Layla in the same 22 July action as the Encelia. This is part of their declared blockade of Saudi-linked shipping.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities have confirmed the Encelia strike but not the Layla. The claim remains unverified by Riyadh.