Red Sea Tensions Soar: Houthi Rebels Down US Drone and Attack Oil Tanker, Risking Environmental Disaster

Tensions in the Red Sea continue to escalate following the latest string of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The group, which controls much of Yemen, claimed responsibility for shooting down a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone over Marib, accusing it of "hostile activities." This incident marks the eighth such drone brought down by the Houthis since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza 11 months ago.

Houthi Attacks Disrupt Shipping Lanes

The Houthis have intensified attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, particularly targeting those linked to Israel, the US, and the UK. This campaign, the group claims, is in support of Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Over the past ten months, the Houthis have reportedly sunk two ships and killed at least two crew members.

In one of the most concerning incidents, the Greek-owned and flagged oil tanker MV Sounion was attacked twice last week, leaving the vessel ablaze and potentially leaking oil. The ship, carrying over one million barrels of crude oil, could cause an environmental disaster four times greater than the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989, according to US officials.

MV Sounion Still Burning; Salvage Efforts Blocked

The MV Sounion was initially struck by gunfire from two small boats, followed by three unidentified projectiles that disabled its engine and ignited a fire. All 25 crew members were rescued by a European warship and taken to Djibouti. Despite this, the Houthis have since threatened to attack salvage operations, posting a video allegedly showing their forces setting the tanker ablaze for a second time.

US Pentagon spokesperson Maj-Gen Patrick Ryder confirmed that attempts to salvage the MV Sounion have been thwarted by Houthi threats. "Two tugs were sent to rescue the ship, but the Houthis have warned they would attack any efforts to recover it," Ryder stated. The US, he added, is working with regional partners to mitigate the potential environmental impact of a spill that could be one of the largest in recorded history.

Uncertain Ceasefire Amid Growing Hostilities

These events come amid a fragile ceasefire in Yemen, brokered by the United Nations in December 2023, that now appears under severe strain. The conflict between the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which began in 2014, has seen frequent foreign interventions, including from the US and Saudi-led coalitions.

The recent escalation is also marked by claims of multiple US-led airstrikes near the Yemeni city of Ibb, south of the capital Sanaa, following the downing of the US drone. The US military has not confirmed or denied the reports but has acknowledged its forces destroyed a Houthi-launched drone and a "support vehicle" last Friday.

A Growing Regional Threat

The Houthis' ongoing campaign against maritime targets threatens to destabilize a vital global shipping route through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for international oil trade. The group has vowed to continue its attacks in support of Palestinians and claims to be bolstering its defensive capabilities against joint US-UK airstrikes.

As tensions mount, international observers are closely monitoring the situation, worried about the potential for further escalation that could spill beyond Yemen's borders and ignite a broader conflict in an already volatile region.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.