UN Chief Condemns Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping

A ship berths in the key Yemeni port of Hudaydah on the Red Sea coast, which is controlled by Houthi rebels (file photo).

The UN Secretary-General issued a statement on Friday condemning the latest Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen.

According to reports, the Yemen-based rebel group — which has been battling the internationally recognised government for control of the country since the early 2010s — attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated vessel Eternity C on Monday and again on Tuesday, causing it to sink by Wednesday morning.

Four crew members are reported dead, while 15 remain missing as of Friday. The Houthis also reportedly took an unspecified number of the crew to a location they described as “safe.”

This incident followed an earlier attack on Sunday, when the Houthis launched missiles and drones at another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship, Magic Seas. The crew was forced to abandon ship, but all 22 members were safely rescued, according to reports.

Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israeli and commercial ships in the Red Sea they believe are headed to Israel, as an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the enclave.

In May, after U.S. airstrikes targeted Houthi strongholds and missile infrastructure, the group reportedly agreed with Washington to stop attacking U.S. warships. However, they did not commit to halting attacks on vessels allegedly linked to Israel.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric read a statement from Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters on Friday, saying the UN chief “strongly condemns the resumption of Houthi attacks on civilian vessels transiting the Red Sea, especially the attacks that took place between 6 and 8 July 2025.”

Guterres said the “unacceptable” attacks endangered the safety and security of crew members, violated freedom of navigation, disrupted maritime transport, and posed serious environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks.

He also stressed that international law must be upheld by all parties, underscoring that UN Security Council Resolution 2768 — which relates to Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels — must be fully respected.

“The United Nations remains committed to continuing its efforts toward broader de-escalation in the region,” Guterres concluded, “as well as continued engagement with Yemeni, regional, and international actors to secure a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.”