Houthi group to begin towing damaged Greek oil tanker Sonion in Red Sea on Sunday
AFTER BOMBING AND BURNING IT
Yemeni authorities permitted operation to tow Sonion, which was targeted for violating ban on vessels traveling to or associated with Israel, says Houthi government’s unrecognized foreign minister
SAANA, Yemen
The Yemeni Houthis announced that they would begin on Sunday towing the Greek oil tanker Sonion, which had been damaged in the Red Sea.
Jamal Amer, the Houthi government’s unrecognized foreign minister, shared the update on Facebook Saturday evening.
He said the Yemeni authorities have permitted the operation to tow the Sonion, which was targeted by the Houthis for violating a ban on vessels traveling to or associated with Israel.
This action was reportedly carried out under the direction of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Badruddin al-Houthi.
Amer said that tugboats are expected to arrive on Sunday to begin the towing process.
He reiterated that the Houthis will continue to target any ship that violates the ban on Israeli-related vessels as long as the conflict and blockade of Gaza continue.
On Wednesday, the EU's naval mission, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, reported that the fire aboard the MV Sonion had been burning for six days since the Houthi attack on August 23.
The Houthis confirmed their attack on the Sonion, citing a violation of the restriction on entering Israeli-controlled ports. They also warned that the vessel is now in danger of sinking.
The Sonion, a Greek-owned oil tanker, was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, according to previous reports from EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
In a show of solidarity with Gaza amid its ongoing conflict with Israel, which is supported by the US, the Houthis have targeted Israeli or affiliated cargo ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean using missiles and drones.
Since the start of the year, a US-led coalition has conducted airstrikes against what it claims are Houthi positions in Yemen in response to the group's maritime attacks, which have occasionally been met with counteractions from the Houthis.
*Writing by Alperen Aktas
Ukraine drones target refinery, power plants in Moscow, Tver
TEHRAN, Sep. 01 (MNA) – Ukraine launched waves of drone attacks targeting power and refinery plants in the Moscow region and Tver, sparking fires, while tens of drones were destroyed across other parts of the country, Russian officials on Sunday.
Drone debris sparked fires at the Moscow Oil Refinery and at the Konakovo Power Station in the Tver region, one of the largest energy producers in central Russia, officials and media said, Reuters reports.
Russia's defence ministry said on the Telegram messaging app that its air defence units had destroyed 158 drones launched by Ukraine overnight, including nine over Moscow and its surrounding region.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several drones targeted the Moscow refinery and a fire was being extinguished at a "separate technical room" at the plant.
Russia's TASS news agency, citing fire emergency officials, said the fire was assigned the highest level of complexity, which may require additional rescue units.
The Baza Telegram news channel, which is close to Russia's security services, said loud blasts were heard near the Konakovo power plant.
Tver Governor Igor Rudenya said there was a fire in the town of Konakovo but that electricity and gas supplies were uninterrupted. He did not say what was burning.
Ukraine also attempted to strike the Kashira Power Plant in the Moscow region with three drones, Mikhail Shuvalov, head of the Kashira city district said on Telegram. There was no fire, damage or casualties as a result of the attack, he said.
"Electricity is being supplied without problems," Shuvalov posted on Telegram.
The defence ministry said 46 drones were destroyed over the border region of Kursk, 34 over Bryansk, 28 over Voronezh and 14 over the Belgorod regions. Several more were downed over Kaluga, Lipetsk, Ryazan and a score of other Russian regions, the ministry said.
MNA/PR
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