IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez has expressed concern over renewed attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region and has called for “constructive dialogue” for resolving ongoing geopolitical crises.
“After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” Mr. Dominguez stated. “Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause. Constructive dialogue is the solution to resolving ongoing geopolitical crises affecting seafarers and international shipping.”
A European Union naval force reported that a suspected attack on Monday by Yemen’s Houthi group on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea has killed three sailors and wounded two others. This attack on the Greek-owned Eternity C comes after the Houthis claimed they attacked another ship on Sunday.
“Our operations will continue to target the depth of the Israeli entity in occupied Palestine, as well as to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas and to disrupt the Umm al-Rashrash [Eilat] port, until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted,” the Houti group declared.
(Screen shot from video by the Houthi militants seemingly showing the Greek bulk carrier M/V Magic Seas sinking in the Red Sea after an attack on July 6.)