Information Minister: Houthi militia’s escalated attacks on oil tankers expose its nature as a terror group serving Iran’s agenda.
Houthi Attacks on Oil Tankers Pose Unprecedented Global Threat
In a recent statement, Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar al-Eryani, highlighted the grave implications of the Houthi militia’s escalating assaults on oil tankers, specifically targeting the Panama-flagged, Greek-managed MV BLUE LAGOON with an Iranian-made ballistic missile and drone. This attack marks the tenth on chemical and oil tankers since last November, purportedly in support of Gaza, signaling a systematic terror campaign that threatens to unleash an unparalleled environmental, economic, and humanitarian disaster.
International Efforts Undermined
Al-Eryani pointed out that these attacks come at a time when international efforts are concentrated on rescuing the Greek oil tanker MT DELTA SOUNION, which is currently carrying one million barrels of crude oil. After being targeted by the Houthi militia on August 21, the tanker now faces the risk of sinking or exploding due to engine failure and ongoing fires, despite the crew’s evacuation.
Reckless Disregard for Catastrophic Consequences
The minister underscored the Houthi militia’s repeated targeting of oil and chemical tankers, reflecting their blatant disregard for the catastrophic consequences of potential oil spills in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Such incidents could devastate Yemen’s economic, agricultural, and fishing sectors, harm the coastal and marine environment, and jeopardize the biodiversity of the region’s islands.
Dire Environmental and Humanitarian Impact
Al-Eryani warned that oil spills could threaten Yemeni fishing stocks, expose millions in coastal cities to toxic gases, halt port operations, pollute desalination plants, and destroy the livelihood of approximately 1.7 million Yemeni citizens dependent on fisheries. The ecological diversity and ecosystems in the area would also suffer irreversible damage.
International Response and the Need for Action
Highlighting the Houthi militia’s role as a proxy for Iranian agendas, Al-Eryani criticized the international community’s failure to effectively address the severe threats posed by the militia to maritime security and global trade. He urged the international community to classify the Houthi militia as a global terrorist organization, impose sanctions, enhance legal coordination to pursue its members, and strengthen international cooperation in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts.
The minister’s call to action emphasizes the urgency of reevaluating strategies to counteract the militia’s terrorist activities and prevent further escalation of this critical situation.
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