The Yemeni Military Media released on Thursday footage of the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) storming and detonating explosives on the Greek SOUNION oil tanker in the Red Sea.
The YAF said the vessel had violated the ban imposed by the YAF on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.
The video depicted the damage inflicted on the ship after it was attacked and showed the storming operation as it was underway at sea. A Yemeni Armed Forces soldier is also seen inspecting the interior of the vessel before preparing to detonate and set it on fire.
The detonation operation was recorded from afar, as the YAF soldiers hailed the operation, chanting, “Down with Israel.”
Earlier on Thursday, the leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi, revealed that the Yemeni naval forces carried out top-tier and major operations this week, including the “courageous and bold operation” of storming the SOUNION vessel.
He mentioned that two teams from the Yemeni naval forces boarded the ship in two phases, rigged it with explosives, and detonated it, destroying its cargo.
On August 22, YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that the SOUNION vessel was struck with accuracy while navigating in the Red Sea and was at risk of sinking.
The head of Sanaa’s negotiating delegation and the Ansar Allah spokesperson, Mohammad Abdul Salam, confirmed on Wednesday that the government will allow the towing of the SOUNION vessel from the Red Sea.
Abdul Salam revealed that Sanaa has responded to the calls of international parties, particularly European ones, emphasizing that the attack on the oil tanker is evidence of Yemen’s resolve to target any vessel that violates the ban it has set on maritime navigation for Israeli-affiliated vessels and companies.