ATHENS – The crew of a Greek-flagged oil tanker was forced to abandon their vessel after it was attacked in the Red Sea on Wednesday, prompting a rescue mission by the EU’s naval forces in the region.
The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have ramped up their assaults on international shipping in the strategic waterway since November, in what officials say is retaliation for the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza.
The latest victim was the tanker Sounion, operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers. It was the third vessel from the Greek company to be targeted by the Houthis this month alone.
“During the approach to the incident area, in the morning hours of Aug. 22, a USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) was successfully neutralised as it posed a threat to the MV SOUNION and its crew,” an official with the EU’s “Aspides” naval mission told Reuters.
The Sounion was left adrift off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah after being struck by multiple projectiles, causing a fire onboard and a loss of engine power. Its 23 Filipino and 2 Russian crew members were then rescued by the EU forces.
The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital Sanaa and much of the country’s north, have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. But Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianidis condemned it as “a flagrant violation of international law and a serious threat to the safety of international shipping.”
This latest incident is part of a broader campaign by the Houthis to disrupt global trade routes through the Red Sea. Since November, they have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least three sailors – all while forcing ship owners to avoid the crucial Suez Canal chokepoint.
“Hostile manned, and unmanned craft, have been operating in the area,” said security firm Ambrey, which noted smoke from a potential attack on an unmanned surface vehicle near the Sounion.
The Greek government said the tanker was sailing from Iraq to the port of Agioi Theodoroi when it came under assault. With crew members now safe, attention will turn to determining the full extent of the damage and investigating who was behind this brazen strike.