The Pentagon mentioned an oil tanker attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels within the Purple Sea final week was nonetheless on hearth and could also be leaking oil.
Efforts to salvage the Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion have been blocked by the Houthis, who’ve threatened extra assaults, the Pentagon added.
The ship was carrying greater than 150,000 tons, or 1 million barrels, of crude oil and a significant spill occurred Doubtlessly one of many largest ships ever constructed.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who management a lot of Yemen, say they’ve been attacking ships within the Purple Sea for ten months to assist Palestinians within the warfare between Israel and Hamas within the Gaza Strip.
They reportedly sank two ships throughout that point and killed a minimum of two of their crew members.
They declare (typically falsely) that they aim solely ships with hyperlinks to Israel, america, or the UK.
Sunion First hit by gunfire from two small boats last WednesdayThe UK Maritime Commerce Operations (UKMTO) workplace mentioned it was subsequently hit by three unidentified projectiles, inflicting a fireplace and inflicting the engine to lose energy.
A day later, its 25 crew members had been rescued by a European warship and transported to Djibouti.
The tanker was later attacked once more – with the Houthis releasing a video purportedly displaying them setting the tanker on hearth.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Saturday Expressed concern over the assault on Sounion. It warned that an oil spill 4 occasions the scale may happen. 1989 Exxon Valdez disasterthe corporate launched 257,000 barrels of oil off the coast of Alaska.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. Patrick Clyde mentioned on Tuesday that two tugboats had been despatched to salvage the broken ships, however the Houthis had additionally threatened to assault them.
He mentioned america is working with companions within the area to attempt to mitigate any potential environmental impacts.
