The US military reported that the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, targeted two crude oil tankers in the Red Sea on Monday: the Amjad, which is flagged in Saudi Arabia, and the Blue Lagoon, which is flagged in Panama. The attacks were described as “reckless acts of terrorism.”.
Late on Monday, the Houthis took credit for using many drones and missiles to target the Blue Lagoon; they made no mention of the Saudi tanker.
According to the U.S. Central Command, the Houthis struck both tankers with a one-way strike unmanned aircraft system and two ballistic missiles.
The Amjad was carrying almost two million barrels of crude oil, according to the U.S. military statement that referred to the strikes as “reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis.” Both tankers were loaded with crude oil.
According to two sources earlier, the ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue their voyages with no major damage assessed or any casualties.
A request for comment from the Amjad’s owner, the Saudi national shipping corporation Bahri, was not immediately answered. The supertanker can hold up to two million barrels at a time.
Sea Trade Marine SA, the Greek manager of Blue Lagoon I, was not immediately available for comment. One million barrels is the maximum capacity of the Suezmax tanker.
Reuters was informed by one of the individuals that Amjad was not believed to have been specifically targeted.
The leading oil exporter in the world, Saudi Arabia, has been alarmed by the Houthi missiles that have been fired over its borders to attack ships in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has made an effort to distance itself from both the bloody conflict in Yemen and the damaging rivalry with Iran, the main supporter of the Houthis.
The Houthi group launched aerial drone and missile strikes on the waterway in November, claiming to be in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s war on Gaza. In over 70 attacks, the group has sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least three seafarers.
The Joint Maritime Information Center reported three ballistic missile attacks on the Blue Lagoon I tanker 70 nautical miles northwest of the northern Yemeni port of Saleef. The center believes the vessel was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel. All crew members are safe, and the vessel sustained minimal damage but does not require assistance.
(Reuters)
