Houthis Grant Access to Salvage Crews for Red Sea Oil Tanker
The Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, has agreed to permit salvage crews, including rescue ships and tugboats, to access an oil tanker that they struck with a missile in the Red Sea earlier this month.
Temporary Truce for Rescue Efforts
According to Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York, several countries have requested a temporary truce from Ansarullah (the Houthis) to allow the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area. The Houthi movement has accepted this request, citing humanitarian and environmental considerations.
Details of the Attack
Last week, reports emerged of a burning tanker drifting in the Red Sea. It was later revealed that the vessel had been attacked by armed groups traveling on small vessels about 90 miles from the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The tanker was also reportedly hit by missiles or drones. The UK Maritime Trade Operations office stated at the time that the vessel was "not under command," possibly indicating a total power loss. No casualties were reported.
Rescue of the Crew
The Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, had a crew of 25 and was en route from Iraq to Cyprus. The crew was rescued by a European warship and transported to Djibouti.
Environmental Concerns
Earlier this week, U.S. Pentagon officials announced that the Greek tanker struck by the Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea a week ago is now leaking oil. Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder warned that the MV Sounion is currently immobilized in the Red Sea, on fire, and appears to be leaking oil, posing both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe. The oil tanker contains nearly a million barrels of crude oil. If it spills as a result of the strikes, it could result in one of the largest oil spills from a vessel in recent history.
Bottom Line
The situation in the Red Sea involving the Greek oil tanker MV Sounion is a stark reminder of the potential environmental and humanitarian consequences of armed conflict. The agreement by the Houthi movement to allow salvage crews access to the vessel is a positive step, but the potential for a significant oil spill remains a serious concern. What are your thoughts on this situation? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
