Saudi foils potential attack on Yanbu, destroys explosive-laden boat

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) – An explosive-laden boat off the coast of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Yanbu Port was destroyed on Tuesday morning, the Dubai-based Al Arabiya newspaper reported, referencing the Saudi Press Agency.

The report said the Saudi Arabian navy was able to intercept the vessel in the Red Sea at 6:40 a.m. and destroy it before an attack was launched, quoting a spokesperson for the Kingdom's Ministry of Defense.

'A bomb-laden Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) was intercepted and destroyed at (0640) this morning (Tuesday, 27 April 2021). Naval units were able to detect and monitor the activity of the bomb-laden USV in the Red Sea waters off the shores of (Yanbu)," said SPA, quoting the spokesman.

The incident is the latest in a series on attempted attacks on Saudi oil facilities and infrastructure, primarily by Houthi rebels based in Yemen.  

Yanbu is a major export hub for both crude and refined products, supplying mostly European markets from the Red Seaa port.