Saudi Arabia Rejects Attack On Oil Tanker In Red Sea (image: screengrab @OneBahri)
Saudi shipping company, Bahri, has refuted the US military’s claim that its tanker Amjad was hit by the Houthis’ most recent attack on its vessels in the Red Sea. Earlier, the US military said that Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers – the Saudi-flagged Amjad and the Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I – in the Red Sea.
The military called the attack a “reckless acts of terrorism”. While the Yemeni group claimed responsibility on targeting the Blue Lagoon, it did not mention the Saudi tanker. Refusing the claim, the Bahri, the owner of Amjad ship, said the ship was not targeted and remains fully operational, heading to its destination, without any interruption.
Also Read: Did US Navy Accept Defeat To The Houthis?
“We unequivocally affirm that AMJAD was not targeted and sustained no injuries or damage. The vessel remains fully operational and is proceeding to her planned destination without interruption,” Bahri said in a statement. The Reuters news agency, citing two unnamed sources, said the ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue their voyages with no major damage or casualties.
The Houthis are among the first responders to Israel’s barbaric war in Gaza. Pledging solidarity with Hamas – the resistance movement of the besieged enclave – the Yemeni group started to attack commercial vessels passing through Red Sea that have links with Israel. The Bab al-Mandab Strait that connects Gulf of Aden with Red Sea is one of the busiest trade routes. Since the beginning, Houthis held on their stance; they will stop when Israel stop bombing Gaza.
Also Read: Who Are Houthis, The Fierce Supporters Of Hamas
US formed Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) in last December 2023. It was aimed at creating an international front that would both deter the Houthis from further attacks and reassure the shipping companies. Over 20 countries were part of the operation.
Earlier this year, Houthis warned countries to stay away from interfering. The group’s Supreme Political Council, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, said, “We renew our warnings that any country that would act against our country would make its interests a legitimate target for us…Americans must stop targeting our country and attacking our country”. Saudi Arabia “would be a target for us if they provided aid and support to the US-British aggression against our country”, as quoted by media.
