WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Greek-flagged tanker Sounion that was not too long ago attacked by Yemen’s Houthis continues to be on fireplace within the Pink Sea and now seems to be leaking oil, a Pentagon spokesman mentioned on Tuesday.
The Sounion was focused final week by a number of projectiles off Yemen’s port metropolis of Hodeidah. The Houthis, who management Yemen’s most populous areas, mentioned they attacked it within the Pink Sea, because the Iran-aligned group has been attacking ships in solidarity with Palestinians within the struggle between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Pentagon spokesman Air Power Main Common Patrick Ryder mentioned {that a} third get together had tried to ship two tugs to assist salvage the Sounion, however the Houthis threatened to assault them. He mentioned the tanker was carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil.
“These are simply reckless acts of terrorism which continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthis’ own backyard,” Ryder added.
The Sounion was the third vessel operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked within the Pink Sea this month. The assault brought on a hearth onboard, which the crew extinguished, Delta Tankers mentioned in an announcement.