The United States has condemned a deadly wave of Houthi rebel attacks on civilian cargo vessels in the Red Sea, warning that Iran-backed militants in Yemen continue to pose a serious threat to global maritime security. The attacks resulted in the sinking of a Liberian-flagged vessel and the deaths of at least three mariners.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement Tuesday denouncing the unprovoked attacks on the MV Magic Seas and the Greek-owned MV Eternity C. Bruce described the attacks as “terrorist” in nature and emphasized the risk they pose to commercial shipping and freedom of navigation in a vital trade corridor.
On Sunday, Houthi forces attacked the MV Magic Seas, prompting the crew to abandon ship. The vessel ultimately sank in the Red Sea. A day later, the bulk carrier MV Eternity C came under assault from rocket-propelled grenades fired by small craft. The ship sustained heavy damage and lost propulsion while en route to the Suez Canal. A British military-run maritime monitoring center confirmed a search and rescue operation is ongoing, with several crew members still unaccounted for.
These attacks mark a resurgence of aggression from the Iran-aligned Houthis, roughly five months after the U.S. military began conducting strikes against the group in response to their campaign of maritime attacks.
Bruce reaffirmed America’s commitment to protecting global trade routes: “We will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community.”
The escalating violence underscores the growing instability in the region and highlights Iran’s continued role in fueling proxy conflicts that threaten global commerce and security.
