Dubai, UAE – August 23, 2024 – The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, previously attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels, is now adrift and ablaze in the Red Sea, raising significant environmental and navigational concerns.
The fires erupted on Friday, just a day after the ship's crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, along with four private security personnel, were evacuated to Djibouti by a French destroyer. The vessel, carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, was reportedly anchored after the initial attack but is now drifting according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center.
The Houthi rebels, while not directly claiming responsibility for the fire, have been aggressively targeting vessels in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Their stated objective is to pressure Israel by disrupting commercial shipping, a vital artery handling an estimated $1 trillion in goods annually.
This latest incident marks a dangerous escalation in the Houthis' campaign. While they claim to target ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the UK, many vessels attacked, including some bound for Iran, have no clear connection to the conflict.
The Sounion attack comes amidst heightened tensions in the region following the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has vowed retaliation, prompting the US to bolster its military presence. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group has been urgently dispatched to the region, joining the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group already present. Further reinforcements include the guided missile submarine USS Georgia, F-22 fighter jets, and the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, equipped with F-35 fighter jets.