US Military Warns of Environmental Disaster as Houthi Rebels Cause Oil Slick in Red Sea
In a recent attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on a cargo ship, the United States military has raised concerns about a potential environmental disaster in the Red Sea. The Iran-aligned group targeted the Rubymar, a United Kingdom-owned bulk carrier sailing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on its way to Bulgaria. The attack, which took place on February 18, caused extensive damage and forced the crew to abandon the ship. As a result, the vessel is now slowly taking on water and causing a 29-kilometer oil slick in the Red Sea.
The Rubymar was carrying over 41,000 tonnes of fertilizer at the time of the attack. The US military warns that if the cargo spills into the Red Sea, it could worsen the environmental impact of this incident. The reckless actions of the Houthi rebels not only endanger the fishing industry and coastal communities but also threaten the import of food supplies to the region.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has expressed its concern over the Houthi rebels’ disregard for the regional consequences of their indiscriminate attacks. The ongoing disruption of trade in the Red Sea by the group has become a daily occurrence, with promises to continue until Israel ends its war on Gaza. The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 29,600 Palestinians, predominantly children and women.
The situation is further complicated by the difficulty of accessing the ship due to the threat of more Houthi attacks and the condition of the water. US officials are uncertain about the substance causing the oil slick, making it challenging to safely tow the Rubymar to a port. The US military has responded to these attacks by conducting multiple “self-defense strikes” on Houthi-controlled positions in Yemen. In one such operation, they destroyed seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared for launch towards the Red Sea. These actions aim to protect freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of US Navy and merchant vessels in international waters.
The Houthi rebels, who control Yemen’s most populous regions, have been actively targeting various entities in the Red Sea. They claim to have attacked an Israeli cargo ship, the MSC Silver, in the Gulf of Aden near the entrance to the Red Sea. Additionally, they have used drones to target US warships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, as well as sites in the southern Israeli resort town of Eilat. The group’s leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, recently announced the deployment of “submarine weapons” in their attacks, confirming previous reports by the US military regarding the use of underwater drones.
The Houthi rebels have also been bolstering their forces, claiming to have recruited and trained over 200,000 new fighters since the start of the Gaza war. This influx of manpower raises concerns about the escalation of violence and further destabilization in the region.
As the situation in the Red Sea continues to unfold, it is crucial for international actors to address the environmental and humanitarian consequences of these attacks. Efforts must be made to prevent further damage to the ecosystem and ensure the safety of maritime trade routes. The ongoing conflict between the Houthi rebels and their adversaries demands a diplomatic resolution to avoid further loss of life and mitigate the environmental impact on the Red Sea.