Houthis Target Greek Tanker in Red Sea, No Injuries Among Crew
According to reports from the Greek shipping ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a Greek oil tanker, Sounion, was attacked by two small boats and struck by three projectiles in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday. The attack, which occurred 77 nautical miles west of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah, damaged the vessel, though no injuries were reported among the 25 crew members.
The Sounion, a Greek-flagged tanker operated by Delta Tankers, was approached by two small craft carrying approximately 15 individuals. A brief exchange of small arms fire occurred before the tanker was hit, causing it to lose its maneuverability. The crew, consisting of two Russians and 23 Filipinos, are reportedly safe and assessing the damage.
The attack is part of a series of strikes by the Iran-aligned Houthis on international shipping near Yemen, which have been ongoing since November in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks have disrupted global trade, prompting shipowners to reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, opting instead for the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
Delta Tankers confirmed the incident, stating that the Sounion suffered minor damage, but the crew and vessel remained safe and unharmed. The tanker is currently adrift as the crew evaluates the situation before continuing its journey.
