Escalating Maritime Threats: Oil Tanker Attacked in Red Sea

The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion was attacked in the Red Sea, leading to its crew abandoning the vessel and being rescued by the EU's Red Sea naval mission. The attack, attributed to Iran-aligned Houthi militants, follows a series of assaults targeting international shipping since November.

The crew of the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, attacked in the Red Sea, has abandoned the vessel and been transported to Djbouti by the EU's Red Sea naval mission 'Aspides', an official from the mission told Reuters on Thursday. Fully loaded with crude oil, Sounion is currently anchored between Yemen and Eritrea, a maritime security source confirmed.

This marks the third incident involving Athens-based Delta Tankers in the Red Sea this month. The company is devising a plan to relocate Sounion to a safer location for further checks and repairs. Iran-aligned Houthi militants have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza since November.

The Houthis have yet to claim responsibility for the attack, which occurred about 77 nautical miles west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, resulting in a fire onboard and loss of engine power. The EU mission responded to a request from the shipping company and dispatched a unit for protection and rescue of the crew, consisting of two Russians and 23 Filipinos. An unmanned surface vehicle posing a threat to the Sounion was neutralized by a nearby vessel.

According to British security firm Ambrey, smoke and fire were observed near the incident site. Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianidis condemned the attack, calling it a 'flagrant violation of international law and a serious threat to the safety of international shipping.' The Greek shipping ministry reported the vessel was en route from Iraq to Agioi Theodoroi in Greece.

(With inputs from agencies.)