Greek oil tanker towed to safety after Houthi attacks in Yemen

The MV Sounion, a Greek-owned oil tanker, was attacked by Yemen's Houthi movement on August 21, resulting in the crew abandoning the vessel after it was struck by missiles. Following the attack, Houthi fighters detonated explosives on board, igniting several fires. The EU naval mission reported that the tanker was successfully towed to a safe area in the Red Sea without causing an oil spill, which could have led to a significant environmental disaster, potentially larger than the Exxon Valdez incident. The salvage operation involved three vessels operated by private stakeholders and was protected by a warship. Although the destination for the Sounion was not disclosed, Saudi Arabia has offered assistance in offloading the oil. The EU's Operation Aspides emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to prevent an ecological crisis in the region. The Houthis, who have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, stated that their actions are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. They have claimed to only target vessels linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, despite evidence of broader attacks. In a related incident, the Houthis announced they shot down a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone in Dhamar province, releasing footage of the wreckage. This escalation of hostilities highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, with the Houthis facing military responses from both the US and Israel, further complicating the situation in Yemen and surrounding waters.