Yemen's Sunken Fertilizer Ship: No Pollution Signs, but Recovery Impossible, UN Says
A ship carrying fertilizer and gasoline, the MV Rubymar, sank in Yemen's Red Sea after being attacked by Houthi militia with missiles in February.
The incident caused a large oil slick and raised concerns about potential pollution from the ship's cargo.
However, Yemen's Water and Environment Minister, Tawfeeq Al-Sharjabi, reported no signs of pollution and no leakage from the vessel as of yet.
He urged the international community for assistance in recovering the ship to prevent any potential environmental damage.
The Houthi militia in Yemen attacked a ship in the Red Sea as part of a larger operation targeting naval and commercial vessels.
The UN examined the damaged ship in March and determined that it was not economically feasible to recover it.
The Yemeni government was informed by the UN team that rescuing the ship was impossible and advised to monitor the ship and coastline for pollution.
A Yemeni government official reported that the UN team working on the stranded cargo ship, MV Safer, expressed hope that it would gradually sink and leak its fertilizer, allowing it to disintegrate without causing harm.
However, their main concern is the possibility of a sudden leak.
The official also mentioned that the ship's fuel could be gradually pumped out to prevent spillage.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command announced that they had shot down a Houthi drone over the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.
The Houthis have not taken responsibility for the recent drone and missile attacks intercepted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea.
The EU's Eunavfor Aspides mission announced that a Dutch warship, HNLMS Karel Doorman, has joined their fleet to protect commercial ships from Houthi attacks.
The EU mission expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' contribution and stated that their forces are becoming stronger.