Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists hit two oil tankers with missiles in the Red Sea on Monday as they look to continue disrupting shipping routes over Israel’s war against Hamas, an Islamic terrorist group in Gaza.
The Houthis attacked the Panama flagged/owned, Greek-operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, hitting both vessels, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
“Both vessels are laden with crude oil,” the statement said. “The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21.”
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“Currently, salvage efforts are underway in the Southern Red Sea for the disabled MV DELTA SOUNION, which is still on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster,” the statement continued. “These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.”
Sept 2 U.S. Central Command Update
In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and… pic.twitter.com/XdKq6g5V16
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 3, 2024
The MV DELTA SOUNION was attacked by the Houthis last month in the Red Sea while carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, according to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES — an EU military operation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf.
“Once the ship was attacked[,] it lost engine power and an operation was dispatched to the ship to rescue the crew,” ASPIDES said in a statement. “While approaching the area, the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES ship destroyed an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) that posed an imminent threat to the ship and the crew.”
The Houthis released a video detonating explosives on the ship, causing fires to break out that continue to burn.
Video released by the #Houthis seems to show the setting of explosive charges on the deck of the tanker #Sounion off the coast of Yemen in the #RedSea.
At 150k tons, this tanker is almost twice the size of Exxon Valdez and the environmental damage to the region will be massive. pic.twitter.com/EfUbg5o5j9
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) August 23, 2024
