ISTANBUL/AA

Oman urged on Thursday to avoid any military escalation in the Red Sea, following an attack on a ship owned by Saudi Arabia. Muscat affirmed that it continues to coordinate with Riyadh, Yemeni parties, and the UN envoy to Yemen to restart the political process.

Muscat's warnings come at a time when Yemen has been witnessing a fragile truce since April 2022 after a war that lasted more than 11 years.

The Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is monitoring developments in the Red Sea with "great concern" and stressed the importance of avoiding escalation and any actions that threaten navigation and worsen the situation.

It added that Muscat continues to coordinate with Saudi Arabia, Yemeni parties, and the UN special envoy to Yemen, with the aim of resuming the political path and implementing the roadmap, to achieve security and stability in the region.

The Saudi Press Agency "SPA" had reported on Thursday that a ship owned by Saudi Arabia was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire at its bow without any injuries.

The Houthis announced on Wednesday evening that they targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles and drones, adding that the attack caused a fire on both tankers.

A day earlier, the group announced the imposition of a "maritime navigation ban" on Saudi Arabia, in response to what it said is a blockade imposed by Riyadh on areas under Houthi control in Yemen.

Despite intermittent confrontations, Yemen has been witnessing since April 2022 a truce in a war that began more than 11 years ago between government forces and the Houthi group, which has controlled provinces and cities, including Sanaa, since September 21, 2014.

In recent days, tensions have escalated in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia supports the legitimate government by leading the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, while Iran is accused of supporting the Houthi group.

This maritime escalation comes within the framework of increasing tension between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, where the group had previously imposed a naval ban on the Kingdom. Riyadh accuses Iran of supporting the Houthis, while it leads a military coalition to support the legitimate Yemeni government. The United Nations continues its efforts to revive the political process, while the fragile truce in Yemen remains at risk of collapse.