The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Saudi Arabia said in its letter to the Security Council,“On April 3, 2018, the Iranian-backed Al Houthi militia in Yemen attacked a Saudi oil tanker in international waters west of the port of Hodeida.”

Further, it said, “This attack was thwarted by the rapid intervention of a naval ship belonging to the Coalition for the Restoration of Legitimacy in Yemen, and resulted in minor damage to the oil tanker, which sailed safely north escorted by a coalition ship.”

Saudi Arabia has effectively called upon the United Nations Security Council to condemn the Iranian-Al Houthi and hold Al Houthi militias and their Iranian sponsors accountable for their innumerable crimes against international law.

Calling it a cowardly terrorist attack, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern at the threats being posed by the relentless terrorist attacks by Al Houthis on the freedom of maritime and international trade in Bab Al Mandab and the Red Sea region.

In launching this failed attack on the oil tanker, the Al Houthis have shown indifference to the potential catastrophic environmental and economic consequences of the oil spill in the Bab Al Mandab and Red Sea areas, the letter continued, adding, “The Coalition will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and international trade in Bab Al Mandab and the Red Sea regions.”

It also reiterated its call to place the Al Houthi controlled port under international supervision, to prevent arms smugging by Iran.

The letter highlighted the timing of the terrorist attack, which is believe tho have intentionally coincided with the visit by Martin Griffiths, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Yemen, to the Yemeni capital Sana’a. “It was a clear message that Al Houthis reject all UN-led peace efforts.” The war has cost the lives of thousands of Yemenis and pushed the Arab world’s poorest country to the brink of famine.

Recently, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman said that Al Houthis have become increasingly isolated politically. He dismissed the seven missiles Al Houthis fired at Saudi Arabia from Yemen on March 25th as “a last-ditch effort” that showed their weakness. He said that Saudi Arabia is now seeking to end the war through a political process.