An EU naval mission has reported that a Greek-owned oil tanker damaged by Yemen’s Houthi fighters has been successfully relocated to a secure location in the Red Sea without any reported oil spillage.
The MV Sounion was abandoned by its crew following a missile attack on August 21. According to BBC News, the tanker, carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil, was set ablaze by several explosions caused by Houthi fighters.
A salvage operation was initiated by the EU, which shared images of the operation on Monday night.It involved three vessels described as ‘private stakeholders,’ protected by a warship.
“The completion of this phase of the salvage operation is the result of a comprehensive approach and close co-operation between all stakeholders committed to prevent an environmental disaster affecting the whole region,” the EU’s Operation Aspides posted on X.
The MV Sounion was abandoned by its crew following a missile attack on August 21. According to BBC News, the tanker, carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil, was set ablaze by several explosions caused by Houthi fighters.
A salvage operation was initiated by the EU, which shared images of the operation on Monday night.It involved three vessels described as ‘private stakeholders,’ protected by a warship.
“The completion of this phase of the salvage operation is the result of a comprehensive approach and close co-operation between all stakeholders committed to prevent an environmental disaster affecting the whole region,” the EU’s Operation Aspides posted on X.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered assistance in offloading the oil.
The Houthis agreed to the vessel’s removal after talks with “several international parties”, in August. They reiterated that their attacks were a demonstration of their “seriousness in targeting any ship that violates the Yemeni embargo”, referring to restrictions imposed on ships and maritime activities in Yemen.
A spill from the Sounion oil tanker could have caused severe environmental damage.
Since November, the Houthis have frequently attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
