US Condemns Sinking of Cargo Ship ‘Rubymar’ as an “Environmental Risk” in the Red Sea

On this Sunday, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement condemning the sinking of the cargo ship ‘Rubymar’. The ship, which was targeted and hit by a rocket attack from the Houthi insurgency last month, is now considered as a significant “environmental risk” in the Red Sea. The incident adds to the rising tensions in the region and raises concerns about safety and security in the international waters.

According to the post made by CENTCOM on their X social network account, previously known as their Twitter account, the environmental risk is primarily due to the cargo that the ship was carrying at the time of the attack. “The approximately 21,000 tons of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer carried by the ship represent an environmental risk in the Red Sea,” the post read. This large amount of fertilizer, now sinking in the sea, could potentially have a harmful impact on the marine ecosystem.

Furthermore, CENTCOM has noted that the sinking of the ship introduces another layer of risks. As the ship continues to sink, it becomes a subsurface impact risk for other ships that use the busy shipping routes in this waterway. This could potentially disrupt the maritime trade and transportation in the region, affecting both regional and international stakeholders.

In their statement, CENTCOM also highlighted the role of the Houthis and their backers in escalating the maritime threats in the region. “The Houthis, backed by Iran, pose a greater threat to global maritime activities. The United States and coalition partners remain committed to safeguarding freedom of navigation, striving to improve the security of international waters for merchant shipping,” they said, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace and security.

Prior to this, the internationally recognized Yemeni government had confirmed on Saturday that the ‘Rubymar’ cargo ship, which was targeted by a rocket attack from the Houthi insurgency last month, had finished sinking in the waters of the Red Sea, near the coast of Yemen.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who have been in control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other regions in the north and west of the country since 2015, have made several attacks against Israeli territory and against ships with connections to Israel. These attacks are seen as a reaction to the Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip, which was launched following the attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

In addition to these, the Houthis have also issued threats to attack American and British ships in the area. This is believed to be their response to the bombings carried out against Yemen in recent weeks, which Washington and London say are necessary to prevent rebel operations and ensure freedom of navigation in the region.