The European Maritime Mission (ASPIS) announced yesterday a new rescue attempt expected to begin in the coming days for the oil tanker “Sonion,” which was attacked by the Houthi group in the Red Sea. The mission stated in a statement on the “X” platform that it will facilitate a new rescue operation for the tanker “Sonion” in the next few days by providing protection for commercially chartered ships, which will tow the ship to a safe location.
The European Maritime Mission noted that the fire is still burning on the ship, which has not yet drifted, and confirmed that so far, no signs of an oil leak from the main cargo hold have been detected. The mission emphasized the need for close cooperation between public and private organizations and stakeholders to prevent an environmental disaster.
The Yemeni government had warned on Thursday that the Greek oil tanker “Sonion,” now resembling a ticking time bomb, poses an imminent environmental disaster, with the Houthi group continuing to hinder international efforts to rescue “Sonion,” which carries one million barrels of crude oil after being targeted by the Houthis on August 21.
The situation involving the Greek-flagged oil tanker “Sonion” in the Red Sea is complex and concerning. After being attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on August 21, 2024, the tanker has been a focal point of international efforts to prevent a major environmental disaster. Despite initial setbacks in the towing operations due to safety concerns, European Union’s naval mission ASPIDES is overseeing a new rescue attempt, with Greek and French naval support on standby.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of maritime aggression by the Houthis, who have increasingly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This campaign has significantly disrupted international shipping routes, with the Houthis launching attacks on a variety of vessels, including several Greek ships. Reports indicate that from December 2023 to September 2024, the Houthis attacked 83 ships, including 24 Greek trading vessels. The Houthi attacks pose not only a security threat but also heighten the risk of environmental damage due to potential oil spills.
