Tanker Carrying Russian Oil to China Attacked by Houthi Sea Drone
NewsweekJUL 13 2024
On Thursday, Yemen's Houthi rebels posted footage of their fighters boarding and placing explosives on the Greek-flagged tanker Sounion, threatening the Red Sea with an oil leak. The Houthis continuously targeted the ship, forcing its abandonment.
The Iran-backed Houthis released a video in which they chanted their motto, "God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam," as the bombs exploded on the oil tanker.
On August 21, the Houthis attacked the tanker Sounion, carrying 1 million barrels of oil, with small arms fire, missiles, and a drone boat, forcing the crew to evacuate the ship. A French destroyer rescued the crew and brought them to Djibouti.
The recent attack by the Houthis on the Greek oil ship Sounion, which was carrying 150K tons of crude oil, demonstrates that the Iran-backed rebels are willing to take extreme measures, even at the risk of causing an environmental disaster in the Red Sea. The Sounion poses an environmental and navigational threat, so it is crucial for the world community to put this issue first. Furthermore, it is imperative to take measures to prevent the Houthis from obstructing one of the world's most crucial maritime trade routes and attacking commercial vessels.
Houthi demands have put the US and its Western allies in a difficult position: an end to attacks on Red Sea ships in exchange for Israel halting its strikes on Palestinians in Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands people, mostly women and children. Instead of pressing Israel to stop the conflict, the US funds it and supplies Israel with weapons. As long as Israel continues to wage war against the Palestinians, the Houthis will continue to disrupt international shipping.