MV Sounion Oil Tanker Towed to Safety

A major environmental disaster was averted as the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which had been ablaze for weeks following an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, was successfully towed to a safe area in the Red Sea without any oil spill. The salvage operation was conducted by the EU’s Operation Aspides, which emphasized collaboration among stakeholders to prevent an ecological catastrophe. While the Sounion’s exact destination remains undisclosed, it is now located away from Yemen, and private stakeholders will complete the salvage process. Meanwhile, the Houthis have continued their aggressive actions, claiming responsibility for downing a U.S. drone, further complicating maritime security in the region. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by the Houthi campaign amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, threatening vital shipping routes that once facilitated $1 trillion in goods annually. The EU mission will continue monitoring the situation as the salvage operation proceeds.