Houthi rebels have announced that they have detonated explosive devices on the Sounion, a Greek tanker attacked on August 21 in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen. Undated videos released by rebels close to Iran have been released, showing explosions on the deck followed by columns of smoke.
The tanker, which had left Iraq to transport hydrocarbons to Greece, was hit by drone attacks and missiles, according to Houthi claims. Its crew was rescued by a French frigate.
A crucial maritime zone
Some 150,000 tonnes of crude oil are on board the ship, raising fears of an environmental disaster. If the oil were to spill into the sea, it could be one of the worst oil spills in history.
The Houthis have carried out a series of attacks on ships in the waters off Yemen, a crucial maritime area for global trade. Many shipping companies have chosen to bypass the region as a security precaution.
