The Yemeni Houthi group has agreed to permit tugboats and rescue ships to access the damaged Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, in the Red Sea. This follows an attack by the Houthis on the vessel last week.
The Sounion, which carries 150,000 tonnes (1 million barrels) of crude oil, represents a significant environmental threat, with the potential for a spill that could rank among the largest in history.
International pressure played a key role in this decision. Iran’s mission to the United Nations announced that several countries had requested a temporary truce to allow rescue operations.
The Houthis agreed to this request, citing humanitarian and environmental concerns. However, a spokesperson for the Houthis later clarified that there was no official truce; the group only allowed the intervention after persistent international appeals.
The tanker was attacked off Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, and there are conflicting reports about whether oil is leaking from the vessel. Reuters has not independently confirmed these reports. The Houthis, who control Yemen’s major population centers, claimed responsibility for the attack, which is part of their broader campaign involving drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea.
Since November, the Houthis have escalated their attacks in the Red Sea, targeting maritime traffic in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Their actions have resulted in the sinking of two vessels, the seizure of another, and the deaths of at least three seafarers. The Pentagon reported that a third party’s attempt to send salvage tugs was met with threats of further attacks from the Houthis.
Iran’s U.N. mission has criticized the lack of action from certain countries in addressing the situation. They argue that the failure to prevent an oil spill is due to negligence rather than concerns about being targeted. This highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the environmental risks posed by the damaged tanker.
