Houthis to allow rescue teams to access burning oil tanker in Red Sea

Several countries have contacted the Houthis to request a temporary ceasefire, allowing tugboats and rescue ships to reach the damaged tanker Sounion, Iran's mission to the United Nations said on August 28. "Given humanitarian and environmental concerns, the Houthis have accepted this request," the statement said.

However, a spokesman for the Houthi forces in Yemen, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said on August 28 that there was no temporary ceasefire and the group only agreed to allow the Sounion tanker to be towed after several international parties contacted the group.

Smoke rises from the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea on August 28. Photo: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES

Last week, the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion was hit by multiple shells off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. There were conflicting reports of oil spilling from the vessel.

The Houthis said they attacked the Sounion. Shipping officials said the vessel was carrying 150,000 tonnes of oil, or 1 million barrels of crude, and the attack could pose an environmental risk. Any spill would likely be one of the largest on record.

On August 27, the Pentagon said a third party had tried to send two tugboats to help salvage the Sounion, but the Houthis had threatened to attack them. In a statement on August 28, Iran's mission to the United Nations said "the failure to provide aid and prevent the oil spill in the Red Sea was due to negligence on the part of some countries, not due to concerns about being targeted."

Since last November, militants have launched drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. In more than 70 attacks, they have sunk two ships, seized another and killed at least three sailors.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/houthi-se-cho-phep-cac-doi-cuu-ho-tiep-can-tau-cho-dau-boc-chay-o-bien-do-post309815.html