The Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion that was recently attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has confirmed fears from officials and is now leaking oil into the Red Sea as it drifts ablaze, a Pentagon spokesman announced on Tuesday, August 27.
The tanker was targeted last week by multiple projectiles off Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah as the Iran-aligned Houthis has been attacking ships in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said that an unidentified third party had tried to send two tugs to help salvage the Sounion, but the Houthis threatened to attack them.
“[The Houthis’ actions reveal] their blatant disregard for not only human life, but also for the potential environmental catastrophe that this presents,” he added.
Ryder announced the US Central Command had been monitoring the situation to determine how best to assist the Sounion, which is carrying 136,000 metric tonnes of crude oil to prevent environmental devastation.
“These are simply reckless acts of terrorism which continue to destabilise global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem,” Ryder added.
Source: The Age.
