What's happened
On September 16, 2024, the European Union's Operation Aspides successfully towed the MV Delta Sounion to safety after it was attacked by Houthi rebels off Yemen's coast. The tanker, carrying one million barrels of crude oil, posed a significant environmental risk, but no leaks occurred during the operation.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, the EU's Operation Aspides successfully towed the MV Delta Sounion to safety, stating, 'The completion of this phase of the salvage operation is the result of a comprehensive approach and close cooperation between all stakeholders.' The New York Times emphasized the environmental risks, noting that the U.S. State Department warned a spill could be four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Politico highlighted the need for global authorities to address Houthi aggression, stating, 'A global authority needs to read the Yemeni militia the riot act.' This reflects a consensus on the urgency of addressing maritime security in the region.
How we got here
The MV Delta Sounion was attacked by Houthi rebels on August 21, 2024, while transporting crude oil from Iraq to Greece. The vessel was left rudderless and ablaze, raising fears of a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea.
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The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on March 24, 1989, when Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker owned by Exxon Shipping Company that was bound for Long Beach, California struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef, 1.5 mi west of Tat
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 kmĀ² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Gaza may refer to: