A senior United States military official has disclosed that the three civilian crew members killed in a recent Houthi missile strike in the Red Sea were, according to US intelligence, part of a pre-approved list of military targets. This revelation adds a complex and controversial layer to the tragic incident that has heightened tensions in the critical maritime corridor.
The Fatal Attack and Immediate Aftermath
The attack occurred on March 6, 2024, when Houthi rebels launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at the MV True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier. The strike resulted in the first confirmed fatalities since the Iran-backed group began targeting international shipping in November of the previous year. The victims were two Filipino sailors and one Vietnamese sailor, whose deaths prompted widespread condemnation from global leaders and maritime organizations.
In the days following the attack, US forces conducted defensive strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, targeting what were described as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile systems poised to launch. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) emphasized these actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.
Admiral Bradley's Congressional Testimony
The crucial information came to light during a hearing before the US House Armed Services Committee on March 20. Admiral Brad Cooper, who serves as the deputy commander of US Central Command, was questioned by Congressman Matt Gaetz. When pressed on whether the deceased crew members were considered lawful military targets under the US government's classification, Admiral Cooper confirmed they were.
"The ship's crew was assessed to be part of the military target," Admiral Cooper stated. He elaborated that the determination was based on the vessel's activities at the time of the strike. The US intelligence assessment concluded that the MV True Confidence was "actively transporting material in support of the Houthi's campaign against international shipping." This, according to the Admiral, rendered the entire vessel, including its crew, a legitimate military objective under the laws of armed conflict.
Controversy and Legal Implications
This assessment has sparked significant debate among legal and humanitarian experts. The core controversy lies in the classification of civilian mariners working on a commercial vessel as combatants. International humanitarian law, while allowing strikes on military targets, mandates a principle of distinction and proportionality, requiring parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians.
The admission raises difficult questions: Can civilian crew, who may have no direct role in a vessel's cargo or its ultimate use, be considered lawful targets? Maritime unions and the governments of the Philippines and Vietnam have vehemently protested the killings, labeling the crew as innocent civilians caught in a geopolitical conflict. The US position suggests that the nature of the cargo and the ship's role in supporting Houthi operations effectively changed the legal status of everyone on board.
The Houthis have consistently claimed their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and are directed only towards Israeli-linked or Israel-bound vessels. However, their campaign has increasingly targeted ships with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, severely disrupting a key global trade route.
Ongoing Regional Tensions and US Strategy
The Red Sea crisis continues to pose a major challenge to global trade and regional stability. In response to the persistent Houthi threat, the United States leads Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational naval coalition tasked with safeguarding shipping lanes. Despite near-daily defensive strikes and patrols, Houthi attacks have persisted, demonstrating the group's resilience and the limitations of a purely defensive military posture.
Admiral Cooper's testimony underscores the US government's firm stance on the legality of its actions and its assessment of Houthi logistics. By publicly stating that the crew was on a target list, the US aims to establish a legal justification for future actions and shift the blame for the fatalities onto the Houthis for using commercial shipping for military purposes. However, this strategy carries the risk of appearing dismissive of civilian lives and could complicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
The incident and its aftermath highlight the blurred lines in modern maritime conflict and the tragic human cost of proxy wars. As the US and its allies continue their patrols and strikes, and the Houthis vow to continue their campaign, the safety of civilian mariners in the Red Sea remains in grave jeopardy.
