Pentagon announces: Ship struck by Houthis is leaking oil

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated that the Greek ship "MV Sounion," which was targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in the Red Sea, appears to be "leaking oil."

According to a written statement from the Pentagon, Spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder made a statement regarding the ship targeted by the Houthis during a press conference.

APPEARS TO BE 'LEAKING OIL'

Ryder stated that the ship is currently on fire in the Red Sea and appears to be "leaking oil."

Noting that this situation presents a potential "environmental disaster," Pentagon Spokesperson Ryder recorded that the Houthis' actions are destabilizing global and regional trade and putting the lives of mariners at risk.

The Houthis announced on August 21 that they had targeted a Greek ship named MV Sounion on the grounds that it "violated the ban on access to Israeli ports."

UK Ambassador to Sanaa Abda Sharif had announced that the ship's crew had been rescued and that the heavily damaged ship remained stranded in the Red Sea.

Sharif had stated that the ship was carrying 150 thousand tons of oil.

THE SITUATION IN THE RED SEA

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been seizing commercial ships they claim are affiliated with Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen since October 31, 2023, in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza, and have been carrying out attacks on some with unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.

Following the Houthis' actions, many shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.

The US announced on December 18, 2023, that a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" had been established with the participation of a group of countries, citing that the security of global maritime trade was in danger.

US forces have announced many times during this process that they have shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.

While the European Union (EU) launched the Aspides mission on February 19 for navigation security in the Red Sea, Italy also joined this mission on March 5 by parliamentary decision and assumed tactical command.

Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted via the Suez Canal, which offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.