Red Sea Tensions: Greek Tanker Sounion Targeted in Houthi Attacks

The Greek oil products tanker Sounion was attacked by two small boats in the Red Sea off Yemen, resulting in damage but no injuries. This attack is part of a string of incidents by Iran-aligned Houthi militants. The vessel, now immobile, has disrupted global trade routes.

A Greek oil products tanker named Sounion was attacked by two small boats and struck by three projectiles in the Red Sea off Yemen on Wednesday. The incident caused damage to the vessel, though there were no reported injuries, according to the Greek shipping ministry and UK maritime agency UKMTO.

The attack aligns with a series of hostile actions by Iran-aligned Houthi militants targeting international shipping near Yemen, in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Sounion, approached by two small craft and engaged in small arms fire, was 77 nautical miles west of Yemen's port of Hodeidah.

As a result of the attack, the Greek-flagged vessel with 25 crew members lost its ability to maneuver. The Greek shipping ministry confirmed the vessel's damage but reported no injuries among its crew, comprised of two Russians and the rest Filipinos. Further attacks in the area have prompted U.S. and British retaliatory strikes and disrupted global trade routes, causing ship owners to reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

(With inputs from agencies.)