The U.S. Department of Defense has sharply criticized the Houthi rebels for attacking the Greek-owned oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, an assault that Pentagon officials warn could lead to a significant environmental catastrophe. The attack, which took place on Wednesday, involved gunfire from two small boats, setting the tanker ablaze and leaving it adrift with a million barrels of crude oil on board.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh described the Houthi attack as reckless, noting the potential for a major environmental disaster in the region. The incident has already drawn international concern, with the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea describing the Sounion as a “navigational and environmental hazard” due to the risk of an oil spill.
The Sounion was reportedly struck about 77 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, a region controlled by the Houthi militants. Following the attack, the crew was evacuated to Djibouti with assistance from the EU naval mission Aspides, which also neutralized an unmanned surface vessel posing a further threat to the ship.
The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack through statements on pro-Iranian media channels, asserting that the vessel violated their ban on ships entering Israeli ports. However, the Greek government and the ship’s operator, Delta Tankers, condemned the attack as a clear violation of international law and a serious threat to maritime safety.
This incident is the latest in a series of Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, a crucial maritime corridor for global trade. These attacks, purportedly in solidarity with the Palestinian cause amid the conflict in Gaza, have disrupted shipping routes and posed significant risks to international maritime operations.
Despite ongoing U.S.-led efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea, including military operations to counter Houthi attacks, the militant group has continued its offensive, underscoring the persistent threat to regional security. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation as the Houthis pledge to continue their campaign until their demands are met.
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