USA: Tanker attacked by the Houthi could leak oil

An oil tanker attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea last week is still burning and there may be an oil spill, according to the US Pentagon.

Attempts to salvage the Greek-owned and flagged ship MV Sounion were thwarted by the Houthis, who threatened further attacks, the Pentagon added.

The ship was carrying more than 150,000 tons or one million barrels of crude oil and caused a major oil spill. The potential is to be one of the largest ships ever built.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, say they have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for 10 months to support Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

During this time, they reportedly sank two ships and killed at least two crew members.

They have claimed – often falsely – that they only attack ships associated with Israel, the United States or Great Britain.

The Sounion was first attacked by two small boats last Wednesdaythen hit by three unidentified projectiles that started a fire and disabled the ship's engine, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office said.

The 25 crew members were rescued a day later by a European warship and transported to Djibouti.

Later, the oil tanker was attacked again – the Houthis released a video allegedly showing them setting the tanker on fire.

A statement from the US State Department on Saturday expressed concern about the attacks on Sounion. It warned of a possible oil spill four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disasterin which 257,000 barrels of oil were released off the coast of Alaska.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said two tugboats had been sent to salvage the stricken ship, but the Houthis had threatened to attack them as well.

He said the U.S. would work with partners in the region to mitigate potential environmental impacts.