WASHINGTON, United States — According to the White House, which condemned the attack as an act of terrorism, a Filipino sailor lost his life last week when Yemen’s Huthi rebels attacked a bulk cargo vessel.
Since November, the Huthis, who are supported by Iran, have carried out many drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, targeting vital maritime routes. They claim these operations are a form of revenge for the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking for the National Security Council, spokesperson John Kirby explained that the Filipino seaman who died was on board the Greek-owned M/V Tutor, which flew the Liberian flag and had “nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza.”
The ship was struck by a sea drone close to the rebel-held port of Hodeida on Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding and its abandonment, as per a security agency overseen by the British navy.
Kirby further stated that a separate Huthi attack on Thursday severely injured a Sri Lankan crew member aboard the M/V Verbena, a Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated ship flying the flag of Palau.
“This is pure terrorism. There’s simply no other word for it. The Huthi claim of supporting Gazans is meritless,” Kirby said to reporters.
Additionally, he cited recently declared US penalties against three people and six organizations connected to the Huthi group’s network for obtaining weapons.
According to a statement released by the State Department on Monday, the targeted entities’ sanctions “have enabled Huthi forces to generate revenue and acquire a range of materials needed to manufacture the advanced weaponry they use to conduct ongoing terrorist attacks against US and allied interests.”
