A French destroyer rescued 29 mariners from an oil tanker under attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, while also destroying a bomb-carrying drone boat in the area, officials said Thursday.
The assault on the Sounion, the most serious in the Red Sea in weeks, comes amid a Houthi campaign targeting ships due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, disrupting a major trade route.
Read: US Forces Neutralize Houthi Drones Over Red Sea And Houthi-Controlled Yemen Territory
The rescued crew members, 25 Filipinos and Russians along with four private security personnel, were taken to Djibouti. The Sounion, carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, remains anchored in the Red Sea, posing a potential hazard.
Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack and another attempted attack. The Sounion was hit by projectiles and small arms fire, causing a fire that has since been extinguished.
Read: US Forces Destroys Houthi Surface-To-Air Missile And Radar System In Yemen
U.S. airstrikes in Hodeida destroyed a Houthi missile system, while the Houthis have targeted numerous vessels in recent months, claiming they are linked to Israel or its allies.
Amidst rising tensions in the region, the U.S. has deployed significant military assets, including aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and a submarine, to the Middle East.
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