Houthi Rebels Target Oil Tanker in Red Sea Yemen Conflict Escalates

Photo : Reuters

On Monday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out an attack on a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea, authorities reported. This incident is part of a broader campaign by the Iranian-backed rebels, which has already disrupted the flow of goods worth $1 trillion annually through the Red Sea. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, has also affected humanitarian aid shipments to conflict-stricken regions like Sudan and Yemen.

The recent attack on the oil tanker, identified as the Blue Lagoon I, occurred as efforts continue to address the environmental threat posed by the still-burning Sounion oil tanker, which had also been targeted by the Houthis. The Sounion carries a cargo of 1 million barrels of crude oil, raising concerns about a potential ecological disaster.

According to the multination Joint Maritime Information Center, which is overseen by the US Navy, two ballistic missiles struck the Blue Lagoon I, while a third exploded nearby. Fortunately, all crew members on board were reported safe, with no injuries, and the tanker sustained only minimal damage. The vessel does not currently require further assistance.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the attack late Monday. The Blue Lagoon I, which was en route south through the Red Sea, had been traveling from Ust-Luga, a port in Russia on the Baltic Sea. The tanker had indicated it was carrying Russian-origin cargo, reflecting the ongoing trade dynamics despite international sanctions imposed on Russia due to its war in Ukraine.

In recent months, the Blue Lagoon I had made a voyage to India, a significant importer of Russian oil, highlighting the complex geopolitical and economic landscape surrounding global energy supplies amidst ongoing conflicts

Sept. 3, 2024 2:18 p.m. 471

#trending #latest #HouthiRebels #OilTankerAttack #RedSea #BlueLagoonI #YemenConflict #IranianBacked #MaritimeSecurity #SounionTanker #CrudeOil #EnvironmentalThreat #BallisticMissiles #HumanitarianAid #GlobalTrade #RussiaOil #IndiaOilImports #MiddleEastTensions #GeopoliticalConflict #USNavy #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai