Iran is behind it all, thanks to Joe Biden and the Democrats allowing Iran to make billions of dollars selling their oil. They were also helped directly with billions of dollars from the United States. The ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, primarily attributed to Houthi militants from Yemen (Iran’s militia group) , have significantly disrupted global trade and maritime security over the past several months. These attacks, which escalated following the conflict in Gaza in late 2023, have led to a sharp decrease in shipping traffic through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, with a 90% drop in container ship transits observed between December 2023 and February 2024.
A Greek-owned and flagged oil tanker is currently engulfed in flames and adrift in the Red Sea following a series of aggressive attacks, according to reports from British and Greek authorities.
Footage of the #Greek Crude Oil Tanker #SOUNION, which is currently drifting in the Red Sea with its engine off, after being targeted with at least 4 Missiles and gunfire from two close-range boats.#Yemen #Houthi #Iran pic.twitter.com/EupxwsIgX7
— War Analysis (@iiamguri9) August 21, 2024
The tanker, named Sounion, came under fire early Wednesday when two small boats approached and opened fire approximately 77 nautical miles (143 km) west of the Yemeni port of Hudaydah, as stated by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Shortly after the initial attack, the vessel was hit by three unidentified projectiles, which ignited a fire onboard and left it without engine power. Fortunately, the 25 crew members on board were unharmed.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Greece’s minister of maritime affairs has condemned the incident as a blatant violation of international law.
The attacks come amid ongoing tensions in the region, where Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has been repeatedly targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November. The Houthis have asserted that their actions are in support of Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, they have often falsely claimed that they are only targeting vessels connected to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
#Houthi rebels attacked a Greek-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea a day after #Israel struck Hodeidah port in #Yemen. https://t.co/t0Im9F9zcM pic.twitter.com/TlfaYoYMXc
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) August 22, 2024
Despite the presence of Western warships tasked with protecting merchant vessels and recent airstrikes by the U.S. and Britain on Houthi-controlled areas in north-western Yemen, the Houthis have not been deterred. Last month, Israel also launched an airstrike on the port of Hudaydah in response to a deadly drone attack on Tel Aviv.
The Sounion, a sizable “Suezmax” tanker measuring 274 meters in length and 50 meters in width, was transporting crude oil from the Iraqi port of Basra when it was attacked. Delta Tankers, the vessel’s Greek operator, reported that the ship sustained “minor” damage and that the crew was evaluating the situation before proceeding with their voyage.
In a related incident on the same day, the Panama-flagged cargo vessel SW North Wind I reported three explosions in the water nearby as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden, according to the UKMTO. The crew was unharmed, and the ship continued to its next destination after the explosions occurred 57 nautical miles south of the Yemeni city of Aden.
French destroyer FS Chevalier Paul (D-621) rescued 29 mariners from the greek-owned oil tanker “Sounion” that was abandoned after it came under repeated attack in the Red Sea.
*Fun fact: 24h ago French Navy was boasting on twitter on how successful they were in escorting ships. pic.twitter.com/leSUCrGgTw
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) August 22, 2024
This attack is reminiscent of an earlier incident in June when the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor was attacked by the Houthis using a sea drone in the Red Sea. The attack resulted in the sinking of the ship and the death of one crew member.
More Info
Key points of concern include the targeting of commercial vessels, which has severely impacted global supply chains, particularly in the movement of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid. The rising threat has prompted some shipping companies, like Maersk, to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times and costs. For instance, diverting a ship from the Red Sea route can increase the journey duration by 30 to 50 percent, with additional costs reaching up to $1 million per voyage.
The United Nations and various countries have condemned these actions, emphasizing the severe threat they pose to international maritime security. The situation has also contributed to a decline in Suez Canal revenues, further straining the Egyptian economy.
Despite efforts by the U.S. and international forces to curb these attacks through operations like Operation Prosperity Guardian, the Houthis have maintained their capacity to launch attacks, showcasing the challenge of completely neutralizing their threat. (USNI News) (United Nations Press) (CSIS).
Major Points:
- A Greek-owned oil tanker, Sounion, caught fire and lost engine power after being attacked in the Red Sea, but all 25 crew members are safe.
- The vessel was first targeted by gunfire from two small boats and later struck by three unidentified projectiles, sparking the fire onboard.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, though Greece has condemned the incident as a violation of international law.
- The attacks are part of a broader pattern of Houthi aggression in the Red Sea, where the group claims to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- On the same day, another vessel, the Panama-flagged SW North Wind I, reported nearby explosions in the Gulf of Aden but continued safely to its destination.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
