Pentagon spokesperson Maj Gen Patrick Ryder said that the Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis last week, is still on fire in the Red Sea and now appears to be leaking oil.
Ryder says the Sounion is carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil and if a spill occurs, has the potential to be among the largest from a ship recorded in history.
He says the US military is working with other partners in the region to determine how to help the vessel and mitigate potential environmental impact.
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya says they attacked the tanker in part because Delta Tankers violated its ban on entry to the ports of occupied Palestine.