Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released new footage purporting to show armed fighters planting and detonating bombs on Delta Tankers’ 164,000-dwt suezmax Sounion (built 2006) last week.
The slick production, lasting two minutes, includes drone footage and shows the name of the vessel prominently.
The blasts started fires on the ship that have placed the region in danger of a massive oil spill as the vessel continues to burn.
The ship had been abandoned after coming under repeated attack from the militia.
In the footage, the Iran-backed fighters chant: “God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.”
The video shows explosives being primed and then the moment when at least six blasts were carried out simultaneously.
Masked men carrying Kalashnikov-style guns boarded the vessel.
The ransacked bridge is glimpsed and bombs are rigged over hatches leading to oil tanks.
The footage appears to confirm reports that explosives were placed on the deck.
The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described the group as saying the Sounion attack shows the US “is lying in its claims regarding any deterrence of Yemeni operations supporting Palestine”.
“The effectiveness of our operations and their control of the situation is acknowledged by the enemies,” a statement added.
Tugs allowed in
On Thursday, Yemen’s Houthi group agreed to allow tugs and rescue ships to reach the tanker.
The ship was attacked on 23 August.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday there is no temporary truce and the militia agreed to allow the towing of the Sounion only after several international parties contacted the group.
