US Warns Tanker Hit By Houthis Could Cause Largest Ship Oil Spill In History

The US Pentagon has warned that an oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthis last week is still on fire and could be leaking oil into the Red Sea, potentially causing an ecological disaster. The Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion was targeted by the Houthis with three projectiles, sparking a fire and disabling the engine. The crew was rescued by a French naval vessel after drifting for a day. The Houthis posted a video showing them setting the ship on fire. The tanker is carrying over 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, which could lead to a spill four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. The EU's Aspides task force, an international naval force, said there was no sign of fire on board when the crew was rescued. The wreckage risks causing a severe ecological disaster. Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Maj Gen Patrick Ryder condemned the attacks as "reckless acts of terrorism" that imperil the maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The US military is working with partners in the region to mitigate any environmental impact. Yemen's Ansar Allah group, known as the Houthis, started targeting ships they deemed Israel-linked in the Red Sea in October 2023, vowing not to stop until Israel ends its war on Gaza.