A Filipino seafarer was killed in an attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on the bulk cargo carrier M/V Tutor last week, confirmed the White House on Monday, labeling the incident as “terrorism.”
According to White House National Security Communications advisor John Kirby, the attack on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned vessel occurred after it had recently completed a port call in Russia and was en route to Egypt. The Filipino crew member was tragically killed in the attack, which was unrelated to the conflict in Gaza.
In addition to the attack on the M/V Tutor, the Houthis also targeted a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated ship, injuring a crew member from Sri Lanka. The vessel, named Verbena, had stopped in China and Thailand before heading to Italy, emphasizing that it too had no connection to the conflict in Gaza.
The White House condemned the actions of the Houthis, who have been carrying out numerous drone and missile strikes on ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden since November. These attacks, supposedly in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war, have resulted in the loss of innocent lives and threatened maritime security.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is yet to confirm the death of the Filipino seafarer, while the 21 other crew members of M/V Tutor have safely returned to Manila after being rescued. Assistance from the US Navy facilitated their transport to Bahrain.
