Greek Tanker Sounion on Fire and Spilling Oil Following Yemen Rebel Assault
In a dramatic escalation of maritime tensions, the Pentagon has raised the alarm over the Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion, which is now leaking oil after being targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The vessel, still ablaze in the Red Sea, is at the center of a burgeoning crisis with potential global implications.
Last week, the Sounion was struck by multiple projectiles launched from the Houthis, a group aligned with Iran and known for their aggressive stance in the region. The attack occurred off the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen’s key port city. The Houthis, who have been increasingly targeting shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, claimed responsibility for the assault.
Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder disclosed that efforts to salvage the Sounion have been obstructed. A third party attempted to send two tugboats to assist the vessel, but the Houthis issued threats of further attacks against them. The tanker, which was transporting approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, is now leaking into the Red Sea—a development that could spell disaster for the region’s maritime ecosystem.
“These are simply reckless acts of terrorism,” Ryder stated, condemning the Houthis’ actions. “They continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, endanger civilian lives, and threaten the vital marine environment in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.” The U.S. military, alongside regional partners, is urgently working to address the environmental risks and support containment efforts.
The ongoing Houthi campaign has already claimed two ships and the lives of at least three crew members over the past ten months. Their aggressive tactics have disrupted global shipping routes, compelling vessel owners to reroute away from the Suez Canal. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree justified the recent attack on the Sounion, alleging that Delta Tankers, the vessel’s operator, had violated a ban on entering “occupied Palestine.”
The Sounion is the third ship operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to suffer an attack in the Red Sea this month. Although the fire on board was eventually extinguished by the crew, the damage has had a lasting impact. The incident recalls the catastrophic 1979 spill from the Atlantic Empress, which released approximately 287,000 metric tons of oil into the Caribbean Sea—a stark reminder of the potential for disaster from such incidents.
As the world watches with bated breath, the situation continues to evolve, with international stakeholders keenly monitoring efforts to mitigate the environmental fallout and restore stability to one of the world’s most crucial maritime corridors.
