Houthi Rebels Detonate Bombs on Hijacked Greek Oil Tanker, Raising Fears of Red Sea Environmental Disaster

Newly released video footage has captured the dramatic moment Houthi rebels planted and detonated explosives on a hijacked Greek oil tanker, raising fears of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea.

The video, released by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Thursday, shows armed terrorists boarding the 900-foot Sounion vessel, which its crew had abandoned after the initial attack on August 21.

Footage depicts masked fighters carrying Kalashnikov-style rifles as they stalk the decks of the tanker, rigging explosives over the hatches leading to the oil tanks below. The video then cuts to the moment at least six blasts are detonated simultaneously, with rebels shouting “Allahu Akbar” and chanting their motto: “God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.”

Fighters carrying Kalashnikov-style rifles can be seen stalking the decks of the ransacked ship, according to the video. my.ye / SWNS

The Sounion, loaded with approximately one million barrels of oil, was abandoned after the Iran-backed rebels began their assault with small arms fire, projectiles, and a drone boat last week.

A French destroyer quickly responded, rescuing the crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, along with four private security personnel.

Two days after the crew’s evacuation, the Houthi rebels detonated the explosives, setting the vessel ablaze in the middle of the sea.

Despite the severity of the attack, no oil spill had been detected as of Thursday, according to the European Union’s naval force in the region, Operation Aspides.

The Iran-aligned Houthis, officially designated as terrorists by the U.S., announced on Wednesday that they would allow salvage crews to tow the ship to safety after multiple countries expressed concerns over the potential for an environmental disaster.

Operation Aspides, coordinating with European authorities and neighbouring countries, is preparing to take action to prevent a catastrophic oil spill.

“Together, we can protect the environment and maintain stability in the region,” the EU mission said.