Reuters-YonhapThe vessel, which flies the Greek flag, is carrying over 150,000 tonnes (equivalent to one million barrels) of crude oil, and a significant spill could be one of the largest maritime oil disasters in history.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran and control large parts of Yemen, claim they have been targeting ships in the Red Sea for the past 10 months as part of their support for Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
During this period, they have reportedly sunk two ships and caused the deaths of at least two crew members. Although the Houthis frequently assert that they only target vessels linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, these claims are often inaccurate.
The Sounion was initially attacked last Wednesday when it was fired upon by two small boats and subsequently hit by three unidentified projectiles, which caused a fire and disabled its engines, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The ship's 25 crew members were rescued by a European warship the following day and taken to Djibouti. The tanker was attacked again afterward, with the Houthis releasing a video allegedly showing them setting it on fire.
On Saturday, the U.S. State Department expressed concern over the attacks on the Sounion, warning that a potential oil spill could be four times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which spilled 257,000 barrels off the coast of Alaska.
Pentagon spokesman Maj-Gen Patrick Ryder said on Tuesday that two tugs had been dispatched to salvage the damaged vessel, but the Houthis had threatened to attack them as well. The U.S. is now collaborating with regional partners to address any possible environmental consequences.
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