An oil tanker attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last week remains ablaze and may be leaking oil, according to the US Pentagon. The Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion, carrying over 150,000 tonnes (one million barrels) of crude oil, faces the risk of causing one of the largest oil spills in recorded history.
Efforts to salvage the stricken vessel have been hindered by the Houthis, who have threatened further attacks. The Iran-backed Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, claim they have been targeting ships in the Red Sea for 10 months in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Reports suggest that the Houthis have already sunk two ships and killed at least two crew members during this period. They have also falsely claimed to target only vessels associated with Israel, the US, or the UK.
The MV Sounion was initially attacked last Wednesday when gunfire from two small boats hit the vessel, followed by three unidentified projectiles that ignited a fire and disabled its engine, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office. The 25-member crew was rescued by a European warship the following day and taken to Djibouti. The tanker was later set on fire again, with the Houthis releasing a video purportedly showing the attack.
The US State Department has expressed concern over the situation, warning that an oil spill from the Sounion could be four times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which released 257,000 barrels of oil off the coast of Alaska. Pentagon spokesman Maj-Gen Patrick Ryder mentioned that two tugs had been dispatched for salvage operations but faced threats of attack from the Houthis. The US is collaborating with regional partners to mitigate any potential environmental disaster.