Watch: Houthis capture oil tanker; detonate explosives on ship
Yemen's Houthis have released a video that appears to show their rebels boarding the oil tanker Sounion and detonating explosives on the ship. The ship was abandoned earlier after being repeatedly targeted by the Houthis. As the bombs detonated aboard the Greek-flagged vessel, the Iran-backed Houthis chanted their motto: "God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam."
Watch the video here
Houthi attack disrupts Red Sea trade, aid shipments
The attack on the Sounion is the most serious in recent weeks by the Houthi rebels, disrupting an estimated $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea annually. The incident has also affected aid shipments to Sudan and Yemen, both of which are grappling with conflict. The Sounion was carrying approximately 1 million barrels of oil when it was initially attacked by the Houthis on August 21.
Crew rescued by French destroyer, Houthi fighters board abandoned vessel
The crew of the Sounion, consisting of 25 Filipinos and Russians along with four private security personnel, were rescued by a French destroyer operating under the European Union's Operation Aspides. After the crew abandoned the vessel, masked Houthi fighters carrying Kalashnikov-style rifles boarded the ship. The footage released shows at least six simultaneous blasts triggered by explosives rigged over hatches on its deck leading to the oil tankers below.
Houthi leader claims attack exposes American falsehoods
The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency quoted the group's leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, as saying that the attack on the Sounion exposes America's false claims about deterring Yemeni operations supporting Palestine. Western countries and the United Nations have warned that an oil spill from the Sounion could severely damage the coral reefs and wildlife in the Red Sea. However, the European Union's naval force in the region has not yet reported any oil spill from the vessel.
Houthis attacking Israel-linked vessels
The Houthis have been attacking what they claim are Israel-linked vessels in an effort to put pressure on the Israeli government to halt the Gaza conflict, which has killed over 40,600 Palestinians. After the United States and United Kingdom launched a military campaign in January to end the Houthis' attacks on trade channels in the region, the Yemeni group also began targeted ships associated with them.
