Environment

Houthis persist with reckless attacks on Red Sea mariners and ecosystem

Salvage efforts are under way in the Red Sea for the Delta Sounion, which is still on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.

A miles-long oil slick streams from the MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier, after it was attacked in the Red Sea by the Houthis on February 18. The vessel, which later sank, was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer. [CENTCOM]
A miles-long oil slick streams from the MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier, after it was attacked in the Red Sea by the Houthis on February 18. The vessel, which later sank, was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer. [CENTCOM]

By Al-Fassel |

The Houthis attacked a crude oil tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen's al-Hodeidah province early on September 2, in a fresh sign of their disregard for the lives of civilian mariners and the delicate marine ecosystem.

The same day, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed two missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen over the past 24 hours.

"It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," it said.

"These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition and merchant vessels."

A screenshot from a Houthi propaganda video, released August 23, purportedly shows the Sounion oil tanker on fire in the Red Sea. [Ansarallah Media Center/AFP]
A screenshot from a Houthi propaganda video, released August 23, purportedly shows the Sounion oil tanker on fire in the Red Sea. [Ansarallah Media Center/AFP]

CENTCOM said it will "continue to work with international partners and allies to protect commerce and mitigate potential impacts to the environment despite the irresponsible and careless actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis."

Two ballistic missiles struck the Panama-flagged, Greek operated tanker Blue Lagoon I, with a third hitting the water nearby, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said September 2.

The Houthis claimed the attack in a statement.

"The vessel is continuing on to its next port of call," said the JMIC, which is run by a 45-member international naval coalition.

The attack occurred 70 nautical miles northwest of al-Salif port, per the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, run by Britain's Royal Navy.

Salvage efforts under way

Meanwhile, salvage efforts are under way in the Red Sea for the Greek-owned MV Delta Sounion, which the Houthis attacked on August 21.

The Delta Sounion is still on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.

In a post on X, the European Union's Red Sea naval mission, Aspides, said it would "provide protection to the tug boats, that will deal with the salvage operation and facilitate their efforts to prevent an environmental disaster."

"Several fires continue to burn on the vessel's main deck," the mission added.

"These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk," CENTCOM said.

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