In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, salvagers have decided to halt their attempt to tow a burning oil tanker, the Sounion, in the Red Sea after it was targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The European Union naval mission, Operation Aspides, announced on Tuesday that it was deemed unsafe to proceed with the operation.
The Sounion remains stranded in the Red Sea, posing a threat of spilling its 1 million barrels of oil. The EU mission stated that the private companies in charge of the salvage operation determined that the conditions were unfavorable for towing the tanker and that it was not safe to continue. They are now exploring alternative solutions.
The Houthi rebels had attacked the Greek-flagged tanker on August 21 with small arms fire, projectiles, and a drone boat. A French destroyer part of Operation Aspides rescued the crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, along with four private security personnel, taking them to Djibouti after they abandoned the vessel.
Recently, the Houthis released footage demonstrating that they had planted explosives on the Sounion and set them off in a propaganda video, a tactic they have used previously in their operations. Since the conflict in Gaza began in October, the rebels have targeted over 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, seizing one vessel and sinking two others. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of four sailors.
The rebels claim to target ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. to pressure for an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the attacked ships have minimal or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran. These attacks have also included Western military vessels and have been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to hit their intended targets.
