Red Sea Environmental Crisis Brewing After Houthi Attack

Latest Developments

A Greek-flagged oil tanker remains ablaze in the Red Sea days after coming under attack by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the European Union (EU) Red Sea naval mission said on August 26. The Houthis began attacking the Sounion tanker on August 21 as the ship traversed the Red Sea carrying 150,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil. A French warship rescued the crew and anchored the Sounion between Yemen and Eritrea. However, the Houthis have continued to target the tanker in the days since, stoking fears of an environmental crisis in the region. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on August 24 that “the Houthis appear determined to sink the ship and its cargo,” threatening “to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea.” On August 26, the EU naval mission reported “no obvious signs of an oil spill” but similarly warned that the Sounion is “an imminent environmental hazard.”

Expert Analysis

“The Iran-backed Houthis are apparently unsatisfied with systematically attempting to kill civilian mariners in international waters and conducting the largest assault on freedom of navigation and maritime trade in decades. The terror group now wants to add to its resume the perpetration of a massive environmental disaster.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“The Iran-backed Houthis continue to pose a significant threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and disrupt vital trade routes and economic stability, causing widespread concern among neighboring nations, particularly Jordan, Egypt, and Israel. Despite the ongoing joint American and British military campaign since January, the Houthis remain undeterred. Thus, a more proactive military approach is necessary to deal with this persistent threat.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst

Houthi Attacks Disrupt International Shipping

Since November 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched dozens of attacks against commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea, a major route for global trade. In April, the Defense Intelligence Agency released a report on the negative economic impacts of the Houthi’s attack campaign.

On July 17, Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) said that the consequences of diverting ships away from the Red Sea to avoid Houthi attacks will be felt throughout its entire global network. Maersk said that “the cascading impact of these disruptions extends beyond the primary affected routes, causing congestion at alternative routes and transshipment hubs essential for trade with Far East Asia, West Central Asia, and Europe.” The statement highlighted that Asian ports “are experiencing delays as ships reroute and schedules are disrupted, caused by ripple effects from the Red Sea,” adding that “delays in Southeast Asian hubs pose a risk of disruption at Australian ports due to vessel bunching on arrival, resulting in longer waiting times and other delays.”

U.S., Europe Strive to Ensure Freedom of Navigation

Following weeks of Houthi harassment of commercial ships, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18. The initiative seeks to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

On January 31, the EU announced the inauguration of a mission in the Red Sea to defend commercial vessels from Houthi attacks. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the mission, dubbed Aspides, or “shield” in Greek, would be for defensive purposes only and would not participate in any attacks against the Houthis. Borrell added that the increased expense of rerouting ships away from the Red Sea shipping routes was contributing to inflation.

Related Analysis

“10 Things to Know About the Houthis,” FDD Insight

“Houthis Sink First Commercial Ship in Red Sea,” FDD Flash Brief

“Houthi Sinking of Rubymar ship off Yemen is a blow to the West,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Houthis Target Israel and International Shipping,” FDD Flash Brief