Houthi Rebels Sink Cargo Ship in Red Sea \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Liberian-flagged cargo ship was sunk by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with only six of 25 crew members rescued. The deadly attack raises fresh concerns over maritime security and escalating regional tensions. Global leaders condemned the strike, calling it a threat to international trade and stability.
Quick Looks
- Houthis sink cargo ship Eternity C in Red Sea
- 3 confirmed dead; only 6 of 25 rescued
- EU naval force confirms drone and grenade assault
- Attack follows another ship sinking days earlier
- Rebels claim retaliation for Gaza, target pro-Israel firms
- U.S. and EU condemn Houthi maritime aggression
- UN envoy warns of Red Sea security escalation
- Israel bombs Houthi-controlled Yemeni ports in response
- Damage seen at key Hodeida port via satellite imagery
- Houthis vow continued attacks amid ceasefire questions
Deep Look
The Red Sea witnessed its most deadly maritime attack in recent months on Wednesday as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels sunk the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, following a coordinated and heavily armed assault. European naval officials confirmed that only six of the 25 people on board survived the strike, making it one of the most serious incidents in a shipping corridor vital to global trade.
The EU’s naval mission operating in the region detailed the harrowing sequence: Houthi fighters used small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, explosive-laden drone boats, and drones to target the ship over several hours. The attack killed at least three crew members and severely injured others, including one who lost a leg. As of Wednesday evening, 19 people remained unaccounted for.
Among the crew were 21 Filipinos, one Russian, and a three-person security team. Those rescued included five Filipinos and one Indian, the EU said. Video footage released by the Houthis showed missiles being fired at the vessel, oil leaking from its hull, and the ship taking on water before disappearing beneath the waves.
The Eternity C, owned by a Greek company, was reportedly targeted due to business ties with Israel — the same motive cited in the recent sinking of another bulk carrier, the Magic Seas, just days earlier.
Shipping Under Siege: Regional Crisis Expands
From November 2023 through December, the Houthis launched over 100 drone and missile strikes on vessels in the Red Sea. Their campaign — positioned as a show of support for Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war — briefly halted during a ceasefire. But tensions reignited, despite a U.S. airstrike campaign earlier this year and a declared ceasefire between Washington and the Houthis.
This renewed aggression has reignited fears for maritime safety in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and broader Red Sea, once a gateway for over $1 trillion in global cargo annually. The latest attacks could deter the recent uptick in vessel traffic, which had cautiously resumed after months of reduced activity.
The U.S. has two aircraft carriers in the region, but both are stationed in the Arabian Sea — far from the attack site. While two American destroyers are reportedly operating in the Red Sea, the vessels under attack had no direct U.S. affiliations and did not request naval escort services.
Global Condemnation and Escalating Violence
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ chief military spokesman, claimed responsibility in a prerecorded broadcast. His forces chanted anti-Western slogans during the missile launches, including “Death to America” and “Victory to Islam.”
The reaction from the international community was swift. “These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. “We will continue to act to protect commercial shipping from terrorist threats.”
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg expressed “grave concern” about the rising violence. He warned the Security Council that regional conflict was now being drawn into Yemen’s fragile political environment. Grundberg also condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Yemeni infrastructure — particularly three major ports and a power station.
Satellite Images Reveal Port Damage
Satellite images reviewed by the Associated Press confirmed significant damage at Hodeida, a key port held by the Houthis and a critical entry point for humanitarian aid. The bombing tore away sections of the pier, potentially disrupting the unloading of vital food and supplies for millions of Yemenis.
Israel claims the Houthis used Hodeida for smuggling arms and missile components, allegations that analysts say have some precedent but remain difficult to verify independently. The Houthis deny the port’s military use, with spokesperson Jamal Amer insisting aid shipments continue “smoothly.”
Amer also accused the United Nations of complicity through “suspicious silence,” claiming the port strike directly harmed civilians.
Wider Implications for Security and Peace Talks
These developments come amid renewed negotiations for a potential ceasefire in Gaza and revived discussions over Iran’s nuclear program. The Houthis’ resurgence as a maritime threat could derail both initiatives and entangle Yemen further in regional proxy conflicts.
Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2014 after the Houthis seized Sanaa, remains unresolved. A Saudi-led coalition attempted to retake Hodeida in 2018 but halted the campaign amid global backlash over potential humanitarian catastrophe. That decision may now be revisited as Houthi maritime aggression grows.
The Eternity C and Magic Seas attacks have once again made the Red Sea a frontline in the geopolitical struggle between Iran’s regional proxies, Israel, and Western-aligned states. Unless diplomatic efforts quickly address the spiral of violence, commercial shipping could once again avoid one of the world’s busiest trade routes — with far-reaching economic consequences.
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