NEW YORK – Tanker oil attacked by rebels Houthis Yemen in Red Sea last week it was still burning and possibly leaking oil. Pentagon The United States (US) said efforts to rescue the Greek-flagged MV Sounion had been thwarted by the Houthis.

On Tuesday (8/27/2024), Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said two tugboats had been sent to rescue the stricken vessel but the Houthis had threatened to attack them as well. He said the U.S. was working with partners in the region to try to mitigate potential environmental impacts.

They have threatened more attacks. The ship is carrying more than 150,000 tons or one million barrels of crude oil, and a major spill could be one of the largest from a ship in recorded history.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control most of Yemen, say they have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for 10 months in support of the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

They have reportedly sunk two ships and killed at least two crew members during that time. The Houthis often claim, often falsely, that they only target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK.