Naval sources revealed on Thursday that experts will resume a risky operation this week to rescue the tanker "Sunion", which was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea last month and is still carrying about one million barrels of crude oil.9

Officials said that the towing process will be very sensitive because the tanker is fully loaded and for other reasons. Any leak could be the largest of its kind from a ship in recorded history and could cause an environmental catastrophe in an area that is considered very dangerous to enter.

At least two locomotives

One of the sources also added that the area already has at least two tugs owned by a rescue company in Greece and they will work on the towing operation.

Another source also added: “There is an action plan and there is progress... and it is expected that the towing operation will begin within the next two days.”

Aspids mission

For his part, an official in the European Union naval mission in the Red Sea (ASPEDS) confirmed that the mission will protect the ships participating in the towing and will monitor the entire operation.

One source explained that there are two frigates, one French and one Greek, participating in the Aspids, in the region already.

This came after the companies that initially participated in towing the tanker aborted the rescue operation because they considered it unsafe.

It is noteworthy that the tanker registered in Greece was attacked, lost power, and caught fire on August 21.

The Houthis also detonated explosive devices on the tanker after the attack, which led to more fires, and it is unclear whether there were any other explosives. While the ship's crew was evacuated.