Catastrophic ecological calamity poses imminent peril to the Red Sea.
Following multiple rocket attacks by the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, on an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, the situation remains unstable. The United States Department of State has issued a warning of an impending ecological crisis, possibly surpassing the severity of the "Exxon Valdez" grounding incident.
Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, cautioned about the escalating risk of an environmental disaster in the Red Sea due to the persistent attacks by the Houthi militia. The tanker, carrying approximately 1.072 million barrels (around 56,000 metric tons) of oil, could potentially leak into the Red Sea if the attacks continue, Miller predicted. This is roughly quadruple the amount of oil that spilled into the sea after the "Exxon Valdez" ran aground 35 years ago.
Although the tanker's crew has been safely evacuated, Miller expressed concern that the Houthis are intent on sinking the vessel and its cargo. The militia, supported by Iran, has made its intentions clear through its relentless attacks, stating its intent to deteriorate the fishing industry and the regional ecosystems relied upon by Yemenis and other communities in the region for their livelihood, Miller stated. He urged the Houthis to halt these actions immediately.
The "MV Sounion," a Greek-owned tanker carrying 150,000 metric tons of crude oil and operated by Delta Tankers, came under fire from three projectiles near the port of Hodeida on Wednesday. The Houthi militia declared responsibility for launching drones and rockets at the tanker.
Ship engulfs in flames
On Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that three fires had erupted on the ship, according to sources. A video posted online by the Houthis displayed three suspected explosions on the vessel.
The 25-member crew, including two Russians and 23 Filipinos, was rescued by the EU mission Aspides, which is stationed in the Red Sea to safeguard merchant ships. The ship is now anchored in the Red Sea between Eritrea and Yemen, as per Delta Tankers. Aspides warned of a potential hazard to navigation and the environment presented by the unmanned ship.
The Houthi militia has been engaging in attacks on merchant ships in the region for several months. The militia, backed by Iran and allied with the radical Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip, asserts that it is acting "in solidarity" with the Palestinians, as Israel and Hamas have been engaged in conflict following Hamas' large-scale attacks.
The "Exxon Valdez" ran aground off the coast of Alaska in 1989, releasing approximately 257,000 barrels of oil into the sea. The subsequent oil spill is still regarded as one of the most devastating environmental disasters ever recorded.
The United States Department of State strongly condemns the attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, with the latest victim being the "MV Sounion" off the coast of Yemen. The continued actions of the Houthi militia, supported by Iran, pose a significant threat to the United States of America's interests in the region.
If the attacks on the "MV Sounion" continue, the potential environmental disaster could surpass the severity of the "Exxon Valdez" incident, posing a serious ecological crisis for the United States of America and other affected nations.
