Conflicts & War

Yemeni government, US warn of spillage in Red Sea after Houthi attack

Sanaa, Feb 24 (EFE).- Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the United States warned on Saturday of the environmental impact of a potential spillage of thousands of tons of fertilizer from a cargo ship that Houthi rebels attacked in the Red Sea earlier this week.

The Yemeni government urged all concerned countries, organizations, and bodies dedicated to preserving marine environments to swiftly address the crisis sparked by the attack on “Rubymar,” a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier targeted by Houthi militants.

According to the official Saba news agency, the vessel is laden with massive quantities of ammonia and oil, posing a risk of dangerous chemical leakage into the marine waters.

In a statement, the US Central Command (Centcom) cautioned that “the ship is currently anchored but (is) slowly taking on water” following a “reckless attack by Iran-backed Houthi” rebels.

The assault “inflicted substantial damage to the ship, which caused an 18-mile oil slick,” the US military reported.

The bulk carrier was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer that “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster,” said the US Centcom.

“The Houthis continue to demonstrate disregard for the regional impact of their indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fishing industry, coastal communities, and imports of food supplies.”

According to maritime tracking portals, the ship departed from the United Arab Emirates bound for Bulgaria, but was attacked on Monday by the Houthis as it traversed the Gulf of Aden. The crew managed to escape unharmed.

Operated by a Lebanon-based company and owned by a British firm headquartered in London, the vessel fell victim to the Houthis’ ongoing assaults on ships in the Red Sea since Nov. 19 amid the Gaza conflict.

The attacks have intensified following the US designation of the Shiite group as a terrorist organization on Feb. 17. EFE

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