French Destroyer Rescues Mariners from Attacked Oil Tanker in Red Sea

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A French destroyer successfully rescued 29 mariners from the oil tanker MV Sounion, which came under repeated attacks in the Red Sea, officials reported on Thursday. The vessel, now abandoned and anchored in the waterway, is carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, posing significant navigational and environmental risks. The European Union's Operation Aspides confirmed that four projectiles struck the ship, although it remains unclear whether these were drones or missiles. Yemen's Houthi rebels are suspected of orchestrating the assault, although they have not yet claimed responsibility. The Houthis have a history of targeting vessels in the region, with over 80 attacks reported since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October. Their campaign has included the seizure of one ship and the sinking of two, resulting in the deaths of four sailors. While the Houthis assert that their targets are linked to Israel, the U.S., or the UK, many of the attacked vessels have no direct ties to the ongoing conflict. In response to escalating tensions, the U.S. military has increased its presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and the USS Georgia guided-missile submarine. Additional F-22 fighter jets have also been sent to the area, while the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship carrying F-35s, is stationed in the Mediterranean. This military buildup comes amid threats from Iran to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.