Sanaa: The Greek-flagged crude oil tanker, Sounion, is currently ablaze in the Red Sea and has begun leaking oil, according to a Pentagon spokesperson on Tuesday. The vessel, which was carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil, was struck by multiple projectiles last week near Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.
Houthi Attacks and Escalating Regional Tensions
The Houthis, a Yemen-based group aligned with Iran, have claimed responsibility for the attack. They cited solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The group has intensified its targeting of ships in the Red Sea as part of their broader conflict.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the attack on the Sounion was in response to the vessel’s violation of their ban on entry to “occupied Palestine”. This incident marks the third attack this month on vessels operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers. Although the onboard fire was extinguished by the crew, the vessel remains in severe condition.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder condemned the attack as “reckless acts of terrorism,” adding, “These are simply reckless acts of terrorism which continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk, and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the Houthis’ own backyard.”
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US Military Response and Environmental Concerns
Ryder also noted that the US military is working with regional partners to assist the vessel and address potential environmental impacts.
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Overview of the Houthis
Led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis are an Iran-backed Shia rebel group that has been in conflict with Yemen’s government for nearly two decades. They currently control Yemen’s northwest and its capital, Sanaa.
