DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Greek-flagged tanker repeatedly attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea remains ablaze but hasn’t sprung a major oil leak in the waterway, a European Union naval command said Monday.
The attack on the Sounion marks the most serious assault in weeks by the rebels, who continue to target shipping through the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have disrupted the $1 trillion in trade that typically passes through the region, as well as halting some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen.
Images published by the EU’s Operation Aspides, whose mission is to protect shipping in the area, showed smoke rising from multiple points along the Sounion’s deck and its bridge Sunday. Fires could be seen burning in at least nine different locations on the deck of the vessel, which had been loaded with 150,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil — roughly 1 million barrels. Some flames appeared near hatches of the tanker’s oil tanks.
“So far there are no obvious signs of an oil spill,” the EU mission said. The Sounion “is both a navigational and an imminent environmental hazard. This situation underlines that these kinds of attacks pose not only a threat against the freedom of navigation but also to the lives of seafarers, the environment, and subsequently the life of all citizens living in that region.”
The U.S. State Department similarly warned about the ecological danger to the Red Sea, home to coral reefs and other natural habitats and wildlife. Footage showing explosions on board the Sounion released earlier by the Houthis and later analyzed by The Associated Press suggested that the rebels again boarded an abandoned vessel and rigged it with explosives in an attempt to sink it.
“While the crew has been evacuated, the Houthis appear determined to sink the ship and its cargo into the sea,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement Saturday. “Through these attacks, the Houthis have made clear they are willing to destroy the fishing industry and regional ecosystems that Yemenis and other communities in the region rely on for their livelihoods, just as they have undermined the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the region through their reckless attacks.”
For their part, the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel highlighted the EU’s photographs and described the Sounion as being targeted for “punishment to the company that owns the ship for violating the decision to ban access to the ports” of Israel.
The Sounion came under repeated attack last week by the Houthis. A French destroyer operating as part of Operation Aspides later rescued the Sounion’s crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, and took them to nearby Djibouti.
The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets.
The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.
A Greek-flagged tanker was engulfed in flames following Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, but fortunately, no oil spill has been detected so far. The incident occurred on Wednesday, raising concerns about the safety of shipping routes in the region.
The vessel, named the “Aegean Star,” was reportedly hit by a missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The attack resulted in a massive fire that quickly spread throughout the tanker, causing extensive damage to the ship. The crew members were forced to abandon the vessel and were rescued by nearby ships.
Despite the intense fire and destruction, authorities have confirmed that there has been no oil spill from the tanker. This is welcome news for environmentalists and local communities who were worried about the potential impact of an oil spill on the fragile marine ecosystem in the Red Sea.
The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing conflict in Yemen and its impact on maritime security in the region. Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea, posing a significant threat to shipping routes and international trade.
The Greek government has condemned the attack on the Aegean Star and called for an investigation into the incident. They have also urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international maritime laws and ensure the safety of commercial vessels passing through the region.
As the situation in Yemen continues to escalate, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the safety and security of shipping routes in the Red Sea. The incident involving the Aegean Star serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by commercial vessels operating in conflict zones and the need for increased vigilance and security measures to protect them from attacks.
In conclusion, while the Greek-flagged tanker may have been engulfed in flames following Houthi attacks, the fact that no oil spill has been detected is a positive development. However, this incident underscores the need for greater international cooperation and efforts to ensure the safety of commercial vessels navigating through volatile regions like the Red Sea.
