Houthis claim strikes on Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea shipping lanes

Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed on Thursday, 23 July, that they conducted targeted strikes against two Saudi-flagged oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group identified the vessels as the Amjad and the Blue Lagoon I, alleging the ships were hit by multiple missiles and drones during the operation. Military operations in the Red Sea Yahya Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, stated in a televised address that the vessels were targeted for "violating the ban" on entering ports in occupied Palestine. While the Houthis claimed direct hits, the Saudi government and the vessels' operators have not yet confirmed any damage or casualties resulting from the reported strikes. The Amjad is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) with a capacity of approximately 2 million barrels, while the Blue Lagoon I is a Suezmax tanker. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), which monitors Red Sea security, reported that the Blue Lagoon I was hit by three ballistic missiles on Monday, causing minor damage but no injuries. However, the center clarified that the Amjad did not appear to be the primary target and was likely in proximity to the other vessel during the engagement. Both ships continued their transit following the incident. Impact on regional maritime security This escalation follows a pattern of maritime attacks that began in November 2023, which the Houthis state are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The primary trigger for today's report is the formal claim of responsibility…