News - Middle East: The European mission in the Red Sea, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, announced that the Sounion ship remains ablaze following an attack in the Red Sea, confirming there are no signs of oil leakage. 

"The MV SOUNION remains on fire after it was attacked in the Red Sea," the mission stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "The vessel is currently anchored, not drifting and there are no signs of an oil spill from the main cargo hold."

The mission emphasized to prevent an environmental disaster, it is essential that public, private organizations and actors work closely together. 

"This is why EUNAVFOR ASPIDES stands ready to facilitate a new salvage operation in the coming days by providing protection to the commercially chartered ships that will tow the ship to a safe location," it added.

The mission also shared new images of the Sounion tanker, which was targeted by Yemeni forces in the Red Sea on August 22, 2024.

On August 29, the Yemeni government in Sana’a announced that they had permitted the burning oil ship Sounion to be towed. Mohammad Abdulsalam, the head of the National Delegation, stated that after requests from international, particularly European, entities, they allowed the ship to be moved.

Abdulsalam highlighted that the incident with Sounion demonstrated Yemen's seriousness in targeting any ship violating the Yemeni ban, which restricts vessels heading to Israeli-occupied ports, aiming to pressure Israel to halt its aggression on Gaza.

He warned all shipping companies associated with Israel that their vessels would remain vulnerable to Yemeni strikes until the aggression on Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.

On August 22, Yemeni Armed forces announced targeting the oil tanker SOUNION, linked to Israel, hitting it precisely while it was sailing in the Red Sea, putting it at risk of sinking.

Yemeni forces have continued to impose a blockade on Israel and attack all vessels and companies dealing with the Israeli enemy.

On August 23, Yemeni media released footage showing the Yemeni navy setting fire to the SOUNION ship in the Red Sea, with large flames engulfing the vessel.

Later, on August 29, new footage emerged showing Yemeni forces boarding the Greek oil tanker SOUNION  and planting explosives in several areas before detonating them remotely, causing massive explosions.

The Leader of the Revolution Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi stated on August 31 that the boarding and sabotage of the ship was another blow to Israel and its Western supporters. He vowed more unexpected surprises in future operations.