Sanaa: In a significant development, Yemen’s Houthi group has permitted a rescue operation for a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea. The decision was announced by Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam, who stated that the group agreed to the operation following negotiations with European Union ambassadors in Muscat. The burning tanker, identified as the Greek-flagged Sounion, has been leaking crude oil, causing a growing environmental crisis. The flames have engulfed the ship for several days, and the vessel is set to be towed to a port in Eritrea for further containment.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have consented to a temporary truce, allowing tugboats and rescue ships to access the area and manage the situation. The truce was requested by multiple countries, highlighting the urgent need to address the humanitarian and environmental implications of the incident. Iran’s UN mission confirmed the Houthis’ agreement, emphasizing the group’s concerns over the environmental impact of the oil spill.
The Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, has been ablaze since August 23, following a series of attacks off the coast of Hodeidah, a port city controlled by the Houthis. The group claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they were carried out using boats, missiles, and drones in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted ships they believe are linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as part of their stance on the Gaza conflict.
