The EU naval mission, known as Operation Aspides, announced on social media that the burning Greek-flagged tanker Sounion "has been successfully towed to a safe area without any oil spill. While the private parties involved complete the rescue operation, Aspides will continue to monitor the situation."
It is unclear where the ship is being towed, but it is likely headed north, away from Yemen. Salvage crews still need to offload about 1 million barrels of crude oil from the Sounion, an operation officials fear could cause oil to leak into the Red Sea, killing marine life and damaging coral.
The tanker Sounion (left) is being towed. Photo: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Earlier in August, the Houthis fired multiple shells at the Sounion off the coast of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah. The ship was carrying 150,000 tons of oil, or 1 million barrels of crude oil. After several international contacts, the Houthis agreed to allow the Sounion to be towed away.
The Houthis also recently claimed to have shot down another US MQ-9 Reaper drone, with viral video showing what appeared to be a surface-to-air missile strike and flaming debris scattered on the ground.
Since November last year, the Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. In more than 70 attacks, they have sunk two ships, seized another and killed at least three sailors.
Ngoc Anh (according to AP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tau-boc-chay-duoc-keo-ra-khoi-yemen-an-toan-sau-cuoc-tan-cong-cua-houthi-post312691.html
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