Despite Western sanctions, tankers in waters off Ceuta, Spain, are still carrying crude oil from Russia to Asian markets.
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Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers – the Saudi-flagged Amjad and the Panamanian-flagged Blue Lagoon 1 – in the Red Sea on Monday, the U.S. military said. Fang called the attacks “reckless acts of terrorism.”
The Houthis late on Monday claimed responsibility for the attack on the Blue Lagoon using multiple missiles and drones, but did not mention the Saudi oil tanker.
U.S. Central Command said the Houthis attacked two tankers with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack unmanned aerial system, hitting both tankers.
Both ships were loaded with crude oil, with the Amjad carrying about 2 million barrels of oil, according to a U.S. military statement, which described the attack as “a reckless act of terrorism by the Houthis.”
Two sources earlier told Reuters that the two ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue sailing without major damage or casualties.
Saudi Arabian shipping group Bahri, which owns the Amjad, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The supertanker has a maximum capacity of 2 million barrels.
Sea Trade Marine SA, Blue Lagoon One’s Greek manager, was not immediately available for comment. Suezmax tankers have a maximum capacity of 1 million barrels.
A source told Reuters that Amjad was unlikely to be directly targeted.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, watched with alarm as the Houthis fired missiles into its territory and targeted ships in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia is trying to escape Yemen’s chaotic war and a damaging dispute with Iran, the Houthis’ main backer.
The Houthis launched their first drone and missile attacks on waterways in November. They said they were standing in solidarity with Palestinians who have been attacked in Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people, razed much of the enclave and destroyed the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on October 7. The deadly attack on Japan triggered a humanitarian crisis.
In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis sank two ships, seized another and killed at least three sailors.
Three ballistic missiles struck the oil tanker Blue Lagoon I on Monday, 70 nautical miles northwest of the port of Salif in northern Yemen, the Joint Maritime Information Center, which is responsible for tracking Houthi attacks by international navies, said.
The center said in a report that it “assessed that the M/V BLUE LAGOON I was targeted because other ships within its company had recently docked in Israeli ports.”
“All crew members on board are safe. The vessel sustained minimal damage but did not require assistance.”
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