Efforts Underway to Salvage Burning Oil Tanker in the Red Sea Amid Houthi Attacks

New Efforts to Salvage Burning Oil Tanker in the Red Sea

In a critical development, a fresh attempt has commenced to salvage the Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, which has been engulfed in flames in the Red Sea following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This operation is being coordinated by a European Union naval mission, which announced the initiative on Saturday.

The EU’s Operation Aspides shared images on Saturday, showcasing its vessels that are currently escorting ships towards the Sounion. The mission reported, “We have been actively engaged in this complex endeavor by establishing a secure environment, which is essential for the tugboats to carry out the towing operation.”

The Sounion came under aggressive assaults from the Houthis starting on August 21. At the time of the attack, the vessel was manned by a crew of 25 individuals from the Philippines and Russia, alongside four private security personnel. Following the assaults, a French destroyer evacuated the crew to safety in nearby Djibouti.

Subsequently, the Houthi rebels planted explosives on the ship and detonated them, heightening fears of a catastrophic oil spill. The Sounion is carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil, which poses a significant environmental risk to the Red Sea.

• The Houthis have targeted over 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October.
• They seized one vessel during this campaign, which resulted in the tragic deaths of four sailors.
• Among the vessels affected, the Tutor sank after the Houthis planted explosives on board and after its crew abandoned ship due to prior attacks, a fact later confirmed by the rebel group.

While some missiles and drones have been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition patrolling the Red Sea, others have failed to reach their intended targets. The Houthis assert that their attacks are aimed at vessels associated with Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom, with the goal of compelling an end to Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza. However, it is noteworthy that many of the vessels targeted appear to have little or no direct connection to the ongoing conflict, including some that were destined for Iran.