EU warns Greek tanker ablaze in Red Sea poses maritime, environmental risks
The MV Sounion was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil from the southern Iraqi port of Basrah when it was attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
DUBAI — The European Union warned Monday that a Greek oil tanker left ablaze for three days by a Houthi attack in the middle of the Red Sea poses a serious risk to both navigation and the environment in the conflict-prone region.
The Greek-flagged MV Sounion, which had set sail from the southern Iraqi port of Basrah with 150,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil, came under attack from the Yemeni rebel group on Aug. 23.
The oil tanker has been ablaze since then, with fires reported on "at least five locations on the main deck of the vessel," Eunavfor Aspides, the EU's military operation in response to the Houthis, said on X.
"This situation underlines that these kinds of attacks pose not only a threat against the freedom of navigation but also to the lives of seafarers, the environment, and subsequently the life of all citizens living in that region," Eunavfor Aspides stated. There has been no oil spill in the region so far and the vessel remains moored at the same point in international waters, the statement added.
The Houthis joined the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 30 and vowed to attack any ships with Israeli ownership, bound for or returning from one of the country's ports.
Chokepoint threat
Due to their geographical proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb, the Houthis have close access to attack vessels transiting the strait, through which 10% of the world's seaborne oil trade flows.
The Houthis' repeated attacks have forced several shipping liners to reroute via the longer Cape of Good Hope route, increasing freight costs and complicating global supply chains.
Despite their vow to target Israel-linked ships, the Houthis have also attacked other vessels that transit the Red Sea and have also stepped up attacks in the Indian Ocean.
International naval support
Operation Aspides, which is headquartered in Greece, was formed in late 2023 following the increase in Houthi activity in the Red Sea.
The EU maritime force looks to secure trade and navigation that could impact the bloc's interests and those of the wider international community. It has three frigates as well as a multi-function support ship.
Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah in Lebanon exchanged fire early on Sunday in the most intense fighting since the start of the conflict in recent months.
Hezbollah said it was retaliating for Israel's assassination of senior commander Fuad Shukr in the southern suburbs of Beirut on July 31.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday that he had ordered two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to strengthen the US military presence in the area.
