ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported Friday that three fires have been observed on a Greek-flagged oil tanker adrift in the Red Sea, which is now at risk of sinking.

The vessel, identified as MV SOUNION, has been the target of repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi group over the past two days. The incident began on Wednesday when the vessel, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, was first hit by gunfire from two small boats approximately 77 nautical miles (about 143 kilometers) west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah.

In a subsequent assault, the ship was struck by three unidentified projectiles, which sparked a fire and left it without engine power.

On Thursday, the UKMTO announced that all 25 crew members of the Greek-owned and flagged oil tanker had been successfully rescued by a European warship.

The European Union's Red Sea naval mission "Aspides" confirmed in a statement that one of its ships had destroyed an unmanned surface vessel during the rescue operation. The crew members were subsequently transported to Djibouti. "Aspides" warned that the MV SOUNION now poses both a navigational and environmental hazard.

Yemen's armed Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks on Thursday. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said via the group's al-Masirah TV that the operation targeted the MV SOUNION because the company operating it had dealings with Israel. Sarea claimed that the ship was "accurately and directly hit" and is at risk of sinking.

The attacks are part of a series of assaults by Houthi forces on ships in the Red Sea. The group claims these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In response to the Houthi maritime attacks, the U.S.-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes against Houthi military sites. However, this has only served to further escalate the tit-for-tat exchanges, with the Houthis vowing to continue targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel. Enditem

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