‘Terrorist’ attack rocks oil tanker at Saudi port of Jeddah

SMA NEWS – RIYADH

A blast rocked a Singapore-flagged oil tanker at the Saudi port of Jeddah Monday, the vessel’s owner said, with the kingdom saying it was struck by an explosives-laden boat in a “terrorist” assault.

All 22 sailors aboard the tanker BW Rhine escaped unhurt after the blast struck just after midnight, Singapore-based shipping company Hafnia said, but it did not exclude the possibility of an oil spill.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for what marks the latest in a string of attacks on Saudi energy sector targets, but it comes as Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen step up cross-border strikes against Saudi Arabia.