Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists destroyed an oil tanker traveling in international waters in the Red Sea this week, the third major commercial shipping vessel that the Islamic terror group has sunk over the last year.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES — an EU military operation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf — said in a statement that the attack on the MV SOUNION happened on Wednesday after the ship did not ask for protection.
“Once the ship was attacked[,] it lost engine power and an operation was dispatched to the ship to rescue the crew,” ASPIDES said in a statement.
“While approaching the area, the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES ship destroyed an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) that posed an imminent threat to the ship and the crew,” the statement said. “All on board the MV SOUNION were subsequently rescued and are being transported to Djibouti, the nearest safe port of call. The lives of seafarers and freedom on the high seas are nonnegotiable values and their protection is a key objective of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.”
The ship was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, the group said, noting that the situation now presents a serious “navigational and environmental hazard.”
“It is essential that everyone in the area exercises caution and refrains from any actions that could lead to a deterioration of the current situation,” the statement concluded. “EUNAVFOR ASPIDES with a defensive mandate acts as a credible EU maritime security provider, with the aim to contribute to the freedom of navigation in the area of operation and the safe passage of merchant vessels.”
Houthi terrorists released a video of them destroying the ship after rigging it with explosives.
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Video released by the #Houthis seems to show the setting of explosive charges on the deck of the tanker #Sounion off the coast of Yemen in the #RedSea.
At 150k tons, this tanker is almost twice the size of Exxon Valdez and the environmental damage to the region will be massive. pic.twitter.com/EfUbg5o5j9
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) August 23, 2024
