WASHINGTON, USA: The United States issued a grave warning on Saturday about a looming environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea after Houthi targeted an oil tanker off the Yemeni coast. The Greek-flagged tanker, Sounion, was struck by drones and missiles launched by Houthis as it sailed near the rebel-controlled port city of Hodeida.
The attack caused three fires onboard, sparking fears of a massive oil spill. The Sounion, a 274-meter vessel, was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil from Iraq to a port near Athens. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the potential for disaster, noting that the Houthis’ actions could lead to the release of a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea—an environmental disaster four times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill.
Although the ship’s crew, consisting of 23 Filipinos and two Russians, was safely rescued by a European Union naval mission, the unmanned vessel remains a significant navigational and environmental hazard.
The Houthis have been escalating attacks on international shipping since November, claiming these actions are in support of Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The situation echoes earlier incidents, including the sinking of the Belize-flagged Rubymar in March and the Liberian-flagged Tutor in June, both targeted by the Houthis. These attacks have not only disrupted global shipping but have also posed severe risks to regional ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities reliant on the Red Sea’s resources.
The US has called on the Houthis to halt these actions immediately to prevent further environmental damage.
