New York [US], July 12: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the recent Houthi attacks on civilian vessels in the Red Sea, particularly those carried out between July 6 and 8. The attacks resulted in the sinking of the MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C, killing at least four crew members and injuring others. Fifteen more crew members remain missing.
Calling the escalation “dangerous” and unacceptable, Guterres urged the Houthis to refrain from obstructing ongoing search and rescue efforts. He stressed that such attacks not only endanger the lives and safety of seafarers but also violate international law and the freedom of navigation. The assaults pose significant risks to maritime transport, environmental sustainability, and economic stability in the region.
The Secretary-General reiterated the importance of adhering to UN Security Council resolution 2768 (2025), which addresses Houthi aggression toward commercial and merchant vessels in international waters.
Guterres emphasized that international law must be upheld by all parties and reiterated the UN’s commitment to working toward regional de-escalation. He affirmed continued engagement with Yemeni, regional, and international stakeholders to seek a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict in Yemen.