United States and European Union Commission have condemned the attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, the United States through State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce said these attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security.
In its reaction, the European Union in a statement said the attack on bulk carrier MV Magic Seas endangered the lives of the crew, who had to be evacuated, and risked a major ecological disaster in the region, as the vessel is currently drifting and at risk of sinking.
“These attacks directly threaten regional peace and stability, global commerce and freedom of navigation as a global public good. They can negatively impact the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.
The Commission said further that these attacks must stop while recalled the United Nations Security Council’s repeated demands for the immediate cessation of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region.
Report has it that Houthi militants have released footage appearing to show the Greek-operated bulk carrier Magic Seas sinking in the Red Sea after a four-hour assault on July 6.
According to the report, the attack involved skiffs, sea drones, missiles — and culminated in explosives being detonated on the hull. This would be the third commercial vessel sunk by the Houthis since November 2023.