ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 17, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 17, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Red Sea Sounion Salvage Mission Begins
• Houthi Missile Reaches Central Israel for the First Time
• Russia Launches Kursk Counter Operation

Red Sea Sounion Salvage Mission Begins

The European Union’s Red Sea mission began an operation to tow and salvage the Greek oil tanker Sounion, which has sat abandoned off the coast of Yemen for over three weeks. The Sounion, carrying around 150,000 tons of crude oil, was disabled in a Houthi attack on August 21. Houthi fighters later boarded the ship after the crew’s evacuation and detonated explosives onboard, sparking numerous fires that experts worry could cause an oil leak. Such a leak could be four times the size of the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. The multi-day salvage operation will include towing the Sounion to a safe location under military escort, followed by efforts to pump the oil from the ship’s hold. The Houthis have agreed to allow the operation to take place.

Houthi Missile Reaches Central Israel for the First Time

A missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia reached central Israel for the first time, causing no casualties. Israel’s military claimed to have shot down the ballistic missile, causing its fragments to fall in an open field. The Houthis claimed the missile made the trip from Yemen to Israel in slightly more than eleven minutes.

Russia Launches Kursk Counter Operation

Russian forces launched counteroperation in the western Kursk region, a month after a major incursion by Ukrainian forces. Russian forces are reportedly attempting to advance from multiple directions, including the north, northeast, and west, while Ukrainian counterattacks are being launched elsewhere to overwhelm Russian troops. Russia is eager to retake control of Kursk after Ukrainian forces staged the first successful land seizure of Russian territory since World War II. Ukrainian forces have used the military success to push for greater Western support, including longer-range weapons to hit inside Russia.