In recent months, the Red Sea has become a flashpoint in the escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have launched a series of attacks on commercial vessels, particularly oil tankers they claim are linked to Israel. These assaults have not only disrupted global shipping routes but also raised alarms over potential environmental catastrophes.To get more news about houthis oil tanker, you can citynewsservice.cn official website. One of the most dramatic incidents occurred in August 2024, when the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion was targeted by Houthi militants. Initially attacked with small arms, projectiles, and a drone boat, the vessel was later boarded by Houthi fighters who planted explosives on its deck. The resulting blasts set the tanker ablaze, threatening to spill nearly one million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea—a disaster that could have rivaled the infamous Exxon Valdez spill2. Footage released by the Houthis showed masked fighters chanting slogans and rigging the ship with explosives. The bridge was ransacked, and multiple simultaneous detonations were captured on video. The attack was part of a broader campaign by the Houthis to disrupt maritime traffic in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Gaza. According to Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the operation was meant to demonstrate the group’s resolve and expose what he called “American lies” about deterring Yemeni operations. Fortunately, the Sounion was salvaged before a full-blown environmental disaster could unfold. A French destroyer, operating under the European Union’s Operation Aspides, rescued the crew and private security personnel. Salvage teams worked for weeks to extinguish fires, patch cargo tanks, and stabilize the vessel. By October, the tanker was towed to the Suez Canal, and its oil cargo was safely offloaded. This incident is not isolated. Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea, claiming to strike only those with Israeli ties. However, many of the ships attacked had no direct connection to Israel. The group’s actions have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to delivery times and millions in fuel costs. The strategic importance of the Red Sea cannot be overstated. It serves as a vital corridor for global trade, connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. Disruptions in this region have ripple effects across supply chains, energy markets, and humanitarian aid deliveries. The United Nations Security Council responded by passing Resolution 2722, condemning the Houthi attacks and affirming the principle of freedom of navigation. In a separate incident in September 2025, the Houthis claimed responsibility for striking the Scarlet Ray, an Israeli-linked oil tanker, with a ballistic missile. The attack occurred near the Saudi port city of Yanbu. Although the vessel continued its voyage and no casualties were reported, the strike underscored the growing sophistication and reach of Houthi operations5. Saudi Arabia and Israel remain on high alert, while international coalitions led by the United States have intercepted numerous missiles and drones. Despite these efforts, the Houthis show no signs of backing down. Their campaign is deeply intertwined with regional politics, particularly the Iran-Israel proxy conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. As the Red Sea crisis deepens, the world watches with concern. The threat posed by the Houthis is not just military—it’s environmental, economic, and humanitarian. With global trade hanging in the balance, the international community faces a daunting challenge: how to secure one of the world’s busiest waterways without escalating the conflict further.