Oil tanker guards open fire on Houthi drone boat before explosion engulfs side of boat

Flames engulfed the tanker, previously owned by a British company, as it travelled through the Red Sea on Tuesday.

The blast broke through its port side as huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky.

The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack.

Armed crew members onboard the tanker tried to shoot the oncoming drone boat.

However, the explosive-laden boat surged towards the vessel.

Flames then erupted as sirens rang out following impact.

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The ship said their crew remained unharmed.

A Houthi spokesman said their assault on the tanker comprised the drone boat carrying high explosives along with one aerial drone and eight missiles.

Earlier this week, a Liberia-flagged bulker travelling to the Suez Canal was also attacked.

The latest strikes come just a day after the Houthis warned of heightened military action against Israel.

Overnight, Israel's air force carried out a series of destructive airstrikes near Beirut airport, targeting Hezbollah's likely successor following the death of their former leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Intense bombardments ravaged Beirut's southern suburbs, particularly the Dahiyeh district, where Hezbollah's hidden command centres are believed to be located.

According to unverified reports from Israeli media, the Israeli Air Force targeted Hashem Safieddine, a hardline cleric and cousin of Nasrallah, who could be the next Hezbollah leader.