U.S. Condemns Deadly Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Cargo Ships
“The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which all members of the international community must condemn,” the statement concluded.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned the latest Houthi attacks on two civilian cargo vessels in the Red Sea, which left three sailors dead, several injured, and resulted in the complete destruction of one ship.
In a press statement released by the U.S. State Department, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce denounced the assaults on MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C as "unprovoked Houthi terror attacks." The strike not only claimed lives but also caused the total loss of the Magic Seas and its cargo.
“These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and regional economic and maritime security,” Bruce stated.
The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea since late 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. However, Western officials have stressed that the pattern of attacks appears increasingly indiscriminate, striking vessels with no direct ties to Israel.
As Kurdistan24 reported Tuesday, the Houthi campaign has expanded in both frequency and scope, transforming the Red Sea—a vital trade artery linking Europe and Asia—into a high-risk zone. The Magic Seas, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, and the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, were both operating civilian maritime routes when they came under Houthi drone and missile fire.
“The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which all members of the international community must condemn,” the statement concluded.
The attack is the latest in a string of maritime incidents that have disrupted global shipping and strained international supply chains. The U.S. and its allies have responded with Operation Prosperity Guardian, a naval task force aimed at safeguarding transit through the Red Sea. However, the persistent nature of the attacks has raised questions about the operation’s long-term effectiveness and the international community’s ability to deter further Houthi escalation.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to convene later this week to address the deteriorating maritime security situation.
