Salvagers have abandoned their attempt to tow a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea, targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, due to safety concerns, according to a European Union naval mission. The EU’s Operation Aspides mission reported that the initial effort to remove the Sounion, which is carrying 1 million barrels of oil, was deemed unsafe. The tanker remains stranded, increasing the risk of an environmental disaster.
The incident threatens to escalate into one of the worst oil spills in recent history. The U.S. State Department has warned that a spill could be four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster. The attack on the Sounion, which occurred on August 21, followed a pattern of Houthi attacks on merchant vessels and has further disrupted the Red Sea’s critical shipping lanes and aid deliveries to conflict-ridden regions.
The Houthis, who have been targeting maritime traffic to pressure international actors regarding the Gaza conflict, previously attacked the Sounion with small arms fire, projectiles, and a drone boat. The crew was rescued by a French destroyer, and the rebels have since claimed responsibility for the vessel’s fire and explosions.
The incident reflects the ongoing volatility in the region, with the Houthis continuing to target ships linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. The U.S. has not been directly involved in the salvage or cleanup efforts, but continues to monitor the situation and target Houthi missile systems.