Intense Search Underway After Houthis Attack Cargo Ship in Red Sea

The Houthis have attacked the Eternity C, a Greek-operated cargo ship, in a week filled with maritime violence, resulting in multiple casualties and an ongoing search for survivors at sea.

In a dramatic escalation of maritime violence, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked and sunk a second cargo ship in the Red Sea within just a week, leading to a challenging rescue operation for the crew members aboard. The Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated vessel, Eternity C, was struck by rocket-propelled grenades launched from small boats, causing significant damage and loss of propulsion. This incident followed a similar attack on the Magic Seas, another cargo ship targeted by the Houthis just days earlier.

On Monday, when the assault on Eternity C took place, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that the ship was carrying 25 crew members. As the assault continued into Tuesday, search-and-rescue operations commenced. According to the European naval mission, six crew members have been successfully rescued, while reports confirm that at least three others have died in the incident.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that the ship was en route to Israel. They stated that some crew members were taken to a "safe location," which has raised concerns of kidnapping, prompting a call from the U.S. Embassy in Yemen for their immediate release. Among the crew members, 21 are reportedly from the Philippines, and a Russian national has been severely injured and lost a leg in the attack.

This recent strike marks the second vessel sunk by the Houthis in a week, with the previous incident involving the Magic Seas, which was targeted with missiles and drones. Despite the dangers, all 22 crew members on the Magic Seas were safely rescued by another passing vessel.

Since late November, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, having targeted around 70 merchant vessels and resulting in multiple casualties among crew members. They claim to be acting in support of the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, although their attacks extend beyond their claims of targeting only vessels linked to Israel or its allies.

The EU's naval mission in the Red Sea, known as Operation Aspides, announced their involvement in response to the recent attacks, and they reported that six castaway crew members have been recovered from the sea. A maritime security firm has released videos showing the rescue of at least five surviving crew members, who had endured over 24 hours in the water. Efforts to locate the remaining crew continue, as uncertainty looms over their fate.

The U.S. State Department condemned the assaults on both vessels, framing them as direct threats to freedom of navigation in the region. They asserted their commitment to protecting commercial shipping from further Houthi attacks, highlighting the need for collaborative international condemnation.

In light of the recent events, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization has urged for increased diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing violence, which poses a severe risk to both innocent seafarers and regional maritime security.