Iran-backed Houthis attack oil tankers, leaving one disabled and on fire
The U.S. military is working to prevent 'a major environmental disaster' after a disabling attack on an oil tanker that left the oil-laden vessel on fire
The U.S. Central Command is reporting two more Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks already this week on crude oil tankers off the coast of Yemen, where a civil war has raged on for a decade between Yemen government forces and the Houthi rebels.
The rebels on Monday attacked the Panama flagged-owned, Greek operated MV Blue Lagoon I and the Saudi MV Amjad, according to a USCENTCOM release.
The Houthi rebels used "two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, hitting both vessels," the release Monday also states.
USCENTCOM – which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, including Egypt and Central Asia – also said both vessels were laden with crude oil, with Amjad carrying roughly 2 million barrels.