Catastrophic Ecological Catastrophe in the Red Sea
After numerous rocket strikes by the Houthi militia on an oil tanker, the situation remains delicate. The U.S. issues an alert of a possible environmental disaster that might surpass the calamity of the Exxon Valdez case.
After sustained shelling of an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen by the Iran-supported Houthi militia, the U.S. has issued a warning of heightened chances of an ecological catastrophe in the Red Sea. Owing to the persistent attacks by the Houthis, approximately "a million barrels" (approximately 56,000 tons) of oil could spill into the Red Sea, mentioned Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State. This equals around four times the volume that seeped into the sea following the Exxon Valdez incident 35 years ago.
Although the tanker's crew has been successfully evacuated, Miller asserted that the Houthis seem intent on sinking the ship and its cargo. The militia, with Iran's backing, has made it clear through its recurring attacks for several months that it is "set on eliminating the fishing industry and the regional ecosystems that Yemenis and other communities in the region rely on for their livelihood," Miller said. He urged the Houthis to halt these actions promptly.
The "MV Sounion," owned by a Greek firm and carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, was struck by three projectiles on Wednesday close to the port of Hodeida. The Yemeni Houthi militia declared responsibility for attacking the tanker with drones and rockets.
Fire incidents on ship
On Friday, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the outbreak of three fires on the ship. A video published by the Houthis on social media platforms displayed three suspected blasts on the ship.
The crew comprising of 25 members, with 2 Russians and 23 Filipinos, was rescued by the EU mission Aspides, which operates in the Red Sea to protect merchant vessels. According to Delta Tankers, the ship is now anchored in the Red Sea between Eritrea and Yemen. Aspides issued a warning of a "threat to navigation and the environment" posed by the unmanned ship.
The Houthi militia has been targeting merchant ships in the area for several months. The militia, funded by Iran and allied with the radical Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip, claims to be defending "the Palestinians" since Israel and Hamas engaged in conflict following Hamas' large-scale assault.
The Exxon Valdez ran aground off the coast of the U.S. state of Alaska in 1989, discharging around 257,000 barrels of oil into the sea. The resulting oil spill still ranks as one of the most devastating environmental catastrophes ever.
The third fire incident on the stricken oil tanker, the "MV Sounion," increases the risk of a major oil spill, potentially surpassing the scale of the Exxon Valdez accident. If the Houthis continue their attacks, the tanker could sink, leading to an accidental release of oil into the Red Sea.
