Greek Oil Tanker Attacked by Houthis in Red Sea

The Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion was left adrift and ablaze in the Red Sea following multiple assaults by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The vessel, carrying approximately 150,000 tons of crude oil from Basra, Iraq, to Greece, was attacked about 77 nautical miles west of Hodeidah. The crew of 25 engaged in a firefight with armed assailants before managing to extinguish the flames and evacuate to Djibouti, as confirmed by Delta Tankers. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that the Sounion was violating a blockade on vessels heading to Israel. Greek Shipping Minister Christos Sytlianidis condemned the incident as a serious breach of international law, while UK Ambassador to Yemen Abda Sharif highlighted the environmental risks posed by the ongoing assaults on shipping in the region. The attacks have disrupted a vital trade route, impacting the flow of goods valued at $1 trillion annually. As the situation escalates, the U.S. military has increased its presence in the area, deploying additional aircraft and naval vessels. The Central Command reported the destruction of a Houthi missile system in Yemen, indicating heightened military activity in response to the ongoing threats. The Sounion's status as a navigational hazard raises concerns about potential environmental disasters in the Red Sea, prompting calls for caution from maritime authorities.