A French destroyer successfully rescued 29 mariners from an oil tanker that was under attack in the Red Sea. The incident occurred near the rebel-held Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The vessel, named Sounion, was targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels in what is believed to be a deliberate assault.
The attack on the Sounion is considered one of the most serious incidents in the Red Sea in recent weeks. The Houthis have been targeting ships in the region as part of a campaign related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. This ongoing disruption has affected a crucial trade route through which approximately $1 trillion in cargo typically passes each year.
Following the attack, the Sounion is now anchored in the Red Sea and is no longer adrift. However, it remains unclear whether the vessel is still on fire. The crew of the Sounion consisted of individuals from the Philippines and Russia.
The French destroyer involved in the rescue operation has not been officially named by military officials. The attack on the Sounion involved men on small boats opening fire with small arms, as well as the impact of four projectiles on the ship. The nature of these projectiles, whether drones or missiles, has not been definitively confirmed.
While the Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, they have been known to acknowledge their assaults after a period of time. The group has targeted over 80 vessels using missiles and drones since the conflict in Gaza began in October. Their actions have resulted in the seizure and sinking of multiple vessels, as well as casualties among sailors.
The Houthis claim to target ships associated with Israel, the United States, or the UK in an effort to pressure an end to the conflict in Gaza. However, many of the vessels attacked have had minimal or no connection to the ongoing conflict. The situation has escalated further with Iran's threats of retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
In response to the escalating tensions, the U.S. military has deployed additional assets to the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group has been directed to expedite its arrival in the Middle East. The USS Georgia-guided missile submarine and the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group are also positioned in strategic locations.
Furthermore, additional F-22 fighter jets have been deployed to the region, and the USS Wasp, carrying F-35 fighter jets, is currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. The situation in the Red Sea and surrounding areas remains tense as military forces prepare for potential further developments.
