A vessel impaired in a mid-February Houthi attack offshore Yemen remains abandoned at sea awaiting towing to safe harbor amid growing concerns of an oil spill.
The Iran-backed militant group claimed it dealt "catastrophic damage" during a Feb. 18 offensive against the Belize-flagged general cargo vessel Rubymar, which the Houthis said was "at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden."
The attack caused "an 18-mile oil slick," the U.S. Central Command said in a social media update on Feb. 24, adding that the tanker is anchored, but taking on water.
"The M/V Rubymar was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was attacked, which could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster," Centcom said.
Khoury added that, as the Rubymar's crew has deserted the ship, his company has no information on the status of a possible oil leak.
Persons:
Houthis, Centcom, Roy Khoury, Khoury
Organizations:
U.S . Central Command, Blue Fleet Group, CNBC, U.S .
Locations:
Yemen, Iran, Belize, Gulf, Aden, Saudi, Jeddah, Djibouti, U.S