The Pentagon has warned of a “potential environmental disaster” in the Red Sea, saying that oil appears to be leaking from an oil tanker set on fire by Yemeni Houthi rebels. This is reported by Komersant ukrainskyi with reference to the Financial Times.
The Greek-flagged Sounion tanker, carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil, was hit last week by missiles fired by the Houthis.
Subsequently, a ship from the EU naval operation Operation Aspides rescued 29 crew members.
The Houthis, who control the most densely populated regions of Yemen, said they attacked the ship in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
🚨🇱🇧Houthi Rebels climb aboard the Sounion a large 🇬🇷Greek oil tanker and wired it with explosives and Ignited the oil tanker from a distance in a different boat.
The oil tanker was carrying 1 million barrels this is 3X the amount of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. pic.twitter.com/DNCp17pKYB
Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said that the 274-metre-long vessel was “immobilised” in the Red Sea.
“It is now on fire and appears to be leaking oil, which is both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental disaster,” he said.
“In particular, ‘at least’ five fires have been visually confirmed, but there are ‘no obvious signs’ of an oil spill,” the FT notes.
Update on M/V SOUNION:
The M/V SOUNION has been on fire since August 23rd.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES 🇪🇺 operating assets in the area have reported that there are fires detected in several locations on the main deck of the vessel. There’s no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and… pic.twitter.com/urJIZ0Y5AW
The owner of the vessel, the Greek company Delta Tankers, tried to save Sounion last week. According to Ryder, two tugs tried to pull the tanker away, but the Houthis threatened to attack the crews.
The large-scale oil spill could be the first major environmental damage from the Houthis’ campaign against international shipping in the Red Sea since last November.
Why are the Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea?
The Iranian-backed Houthis have stepped up their actions in the context of the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has spread across the Middle East. In particular, they began attacking ships on strategically important shipping routes using drones and missiles.
In their statements, the Houthis warned that they would attack any vessels heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality. They also called on international shipping companies to refrain from cooperating with Israeli ports.
with reference to the Financial Times.