Operation Aspides Salvages Attacked Sounion Tanker

Salvage operations for the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels on August 21, have commenced under the European Union’s Operation Aspides. The tanker, carrying over 1 million barrels of crude oil, was rigged with explosives by the Houthis, raising fears of a significant oil spill. The crew was rescued by a French ship immediately following the attack. Tugboats, escorted by military vessels, have begun towing the burning vessel to a safe location, despite adverse conditions. The operation aims to prevent an environmental disaster in the Red Sea, a crucial maritime chokepoint affected by recent Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. The EU naval force has been actively involved in securing the area for the salvage mission.