Red Sea: US Military Says Two More Crude Oil Tankers Attacked by Houthis

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Facts

• The US Central Command reported new attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea on Monday, prompting Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder to announce Tuesday that Yemen's Houthis continue to threaten 'innocent civilian mariners' and 'maritime ecosystems.'^[1][2]
• According to the US military, the Iran-backed group attacked two oil-laden vessels — the Saudi-flagged Amjad and Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I — with two ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones. The Houthis subsequently claimed responsibility for targeting only the latter vessel.^[3][4]
• However, Saudi shipping company Bahri said that the Amjad had only been transiting close to where another tanker came under attack in the Red Sea on Monday and 'is proceeding to her destination without interruption.'^[5][6]
• The Houthi group and Saudi Arabia have been on opposite sides in a deadly war in Yemen, but a de facto cease-fire aimed at creating conditions for peace talks has prevented clashes for a number of years.^[7]
• Meanwhile, despite worries of an environmental disaster, salvage companies have called off attempts to tow away the Greek-flagged Sounion tanker, which was left burning following Houthi attacks, due to 'unsafe' conditions.^[8][9]
• The Houthis have been conducting strikes on cargo ships since last year in solidarity with Palestine over the Gaza war, targeting over 80 vessels with missiles and drones. One was captured and two others were sunk, with four sailors dead.^[10]

Sources: ^[1]U.S. Department of Defense, ^[2]U.S. Central Command, ^[3]Reuters, ^[4]Iran International, ^[5]Bahri, ^[6]Arab News, ^[7]Associated Press, ^[8]BBC News, ^[9]Bloomberg and ^[10]The National.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Fdd and The Washington Institute. These latest attacks further demonstrate that the Iran-backed Houthis are willing to take extreme measures in the Red Sea despite the potential consequences. Targeting oil tankers represents both an environmental and navigational threat, so it's imperative that steps are taken to further counter Houthi actions in the Red Sea as soon as possible.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye and Responsible Statecraft. Ignoring the double standards over Houthi legitimate actions and Israeli war crimes in the Red Sea, the main issue here is that Washington has engaged in counterproductive, illegal military operations in Yemen to try to counter the Houthis. If the US really wants to stop the Red Sea crisis, it must push for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Predictions