The Pentagon condemned on Thursday (August 22) that the Houthi armed group has caused an “environmental disaster” by attacking a tanker carrying about one million barrels of crude oil in the Red Sea the day before.
During a press conference held on Thursday, Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated to reporters, “I know that the ship did catch fire. I don’t know the status. What I can say is that the Houthi armed group once again attacked a tanker loaded with oil, which could lead to oil leaking into the Red Sea, causing an environmental disaster.”
“It is a Greek-flagged merchant ship with crew members including sailors from Russia and the Philippines,” she added.
On Wednesday, the Houthi armed group attacked the Sounion oil tanker sailing in the Red Sea, triggering a large fire. Although the fire was later extinguished, it resulted in engine failure, forcing the 25 crew members on board to evacuate to Djibouti in East Africa.
The naval personnel of the EU maritime security operation “Eunavfor Aspides” rescued the crew members. This naval operation is aimed at protecting merchant ships in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf region.
“Eunavfor Aspides” stated on social media that the Sounion, carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, now poses “navigational and environmental hazards.”
The Greek Ministry of Shipping stated in a press release that all crew members on the Sounion are in good health, but the ship has suffered significant damage.
The Greek Ministry of Shipping condemned the attack on the tanker as a “blatant violation of international law, seriously threatening international maritime security.”
For several months, the Houthi armed group has continuously attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming it is to support Hamas in the conflict with Israel in Gaza. In response to the Houthi armed group’s disruption of this vital maritime artery, the US and its allies have established a task force specifically aimed at escorting merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea.
Despite the US conducting strikes against the Houthi armed group, Red Sea commercial ships are still frequently targeted.