THE EARLY PHOENIX
September 5, 2024
★ YEMEN
Houthis Carry Four New Attacks After Sounion
The Houthis remain undeterred by the presence of Western warships and recent U.S. and British airstrikes in northwestern Yemen. Over the past five days, they have escalated attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. On Saturday, the Houthis targeted the Liberian-flagged cargo ship “Grotton” with ballistic missiles, causing significant damage. They also struck the oil tanker “Blue Lagoon I” using missiles and drones, claiming it violated bans on entering Israeli-occupied ports. On Monday, two additional oil tankers were attacked 70 nautical miles from Saleef port in northern Yemen. Three ballistic missiles hit one tanker, but no major damage or injuries occurred, allowing both vessels to continue. In response, U.S. Central Command destroyed Houthi missile systems, drones, and boats. This included neutralizing two missile systems after the Houthi attack on the Saudi-flagged tanker “Amjad” and Panama-flagged “Blue Lagoon” in the Red Sea.
Sounion Oil Spill 2.2 Miles, Rescue Mission Abandoned
Two weeks after the Houthi attack on Sounion, the vessel carrying one million barrels of oil still burns. Greece sent a letter to the United Nations on August 30, warning of a possible 2.2-mile oil leak. Satellite images detected the leak, raising concerns of a potential environmental disaster in the Red Sea. Private companies hired to tow the ship abandoned the mission after two days, citing serious safety concerns. The Pentagon warned that an oil spill from Sounion could be nearly four times larger than the Exxon Valdez disaster. The Houthis claim their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, but experts disagree. Yemeni analysts on Al Hadath Channel stated that Sounion has never carried or docked cargo at Israeli ports. Sounion is the third Greek Delta vessel attacked this month, following similar attacks on Delta Blue and Atlantica by the Houthis. On ground, the Houthis seized two commercial power stations in Ibb, Yemen.
Houthis Seek Russian Military Equipment Under Wheat Purchase Cover
Houthi leader Ali Al-Hadi visited Russia under the pretext of purchasing wheat, but sources confirm his mission was military. As head of the Houthi Chamber of Commerce, Al-Hadi is crucial in acquiring banned materials. His visit coincided with Houthi Foreign Minister Shaye Al-Zindani’s trip to discuss mutual interests with Russia. Although Russia had halted arms shipments to the Houthis, reports suggest shipments may resume after Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk. U.S. officials tracked Russian military personnel entering Houthi-controlled Yemen in July. Russian ships were seen stopping unusually in the southern Red Sea, with personnel later transferred to Houthi boats.
===============
Through covert and criminal actions, the Assad regime has tightened control over critical infrastructure while expanding its drug trafficking network.
Iraq, also under Iranian guidence, faces grave economic and security risks.
