Houthi Attack Near Yemen Sparks Concerns Over Potential Oil Spill

The European Union's Aspides mission confirmed no oil spill in the Red Sea following a Houthi attack on the Greek-flagged tanker Sounion. However, conflicting reports from U.S. officials suggest a possible leak. The attack raises environmental and economic concerns due to Sounion's 1 million barrels of crude oil cargo.

The European Union's mission in the Red Sea confirmed on Wednesday that there has been no oil spill in the waters near the Greek-flagged tanker Sounion, which was recently attacked by Houthi militants off Yemen's coast. The mission, known as Aspides, stated that the tanker remains anchored and is not drifting.

A senior U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported that the ship is leaking an unidentified substance. The Pentagon had earlier indicated that the tanker was still ablaze and seemed to be leaking oil in the Red Sea.

Reuters has not been able to independently verify any oil leak. The Iran-backed Houthi forces targeted the Sounion in a series of attacks near Yemen's Hodeidah port, causing significant damage and igniting a large fire aboard the vessel.

The incident has alarmed the environmental community, as the Sounion is transporting 150,000 tonnes, equivalent to 1 million barrels, of crude oil. A spill of this magnitude could devastate local fishing industries and regional ecosystems, officials warned.

For over ten months, the Iran-aligned Houthis have carried out more than 70 attacks on commercial ships to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks have resulted in the sinking of two vessels, claimed the lives of at least three crew members, and disrupted global trade routes by forcing ships to steer clear of the vital Suez Canal.

(With inputs from agencies.)