Iran-Backed Houthis Sink Greek Ship in Red Sea, 3 Dead, 19 Missing

 

At least three seafarers were killed and 19 remain missing after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked and sank the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship, in the Red Sea. Six crew members, including five Filipinos and one Indian, were rescued after more than 24 hours in the water, according to the EU naval mission Operation Aspides. The attack began on Monday with rocket-propelled grenades launched from small boats and continued into Tuesday. The ship, carrying 25 crew members, lost propulsion and ultimately sank.

The Houthis claim the vessel was en route to Israel and stated that some surviving crew were taken to a "safe location." However, the US embassy in Yemen condemned the act as kidnapping. The Philippines confirmed that 21 of the crew were Filipino citizens, while another crew member, a Russian, suffered a leg amputation due to injuries from the assault.

This marks the second cargo ship sunk by the Houthis in a week. On Sunday, they targeted the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-run ship, with missiles and drones. All 22 crew were rescued. The rebels released footage of both attacks, including armed boarding and the detonation of explosives on board.

The attacks highlight the Houthis' ongoing campaign against ships they claim are linked to Israel, the US, or the UK. While often inaccurately labeled, the targets are seen as part of their protest against the Gaza conflict. Since November 2023, they have struck over 70 merchant vessels, sinking four, seizing one, and causing at least seven deaths.

The international community, including the US and EU, has condemned the attacks, calling them threats to maritime safety and violations of international law.

The sinking of Eternity C by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has reignited global alarm over maritime security in the Red Sea, a critical shipping route. The European Union’s Operation Aspides, which is leading rescue and response efforts, confirmed it is continuing search operations for the 19 missing crew members. Maritime security firm Diaplous released footage of five rescued seafarers who survived over a day at sea, pledging to search “until the last light.”

The US State Department sharply condemned the attacks on both Eternity C and Magic Seas, warning that these assaults “demonstrate the ongoing threat” Houthis pose to freedom of navigation and global maritime commerce. The Biden administration reaffirmed its intent to “take necessary action” to protect shipping lanes from these “terrorist attacks,” calling for unified international condemnation.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have claimed their campaign is in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war. Yet, critics argue their targeting is indiscriminate, with most attacked vessels having no confirmed links to Israel. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) condemned the violence, warning of its impact on “innocent seafarers and local populations,” as well as marine pollution risks.

Since late 2023, the Houthis have launched over 70 attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A ceasefire deal brokered in May between the Houthis and the US has not deterred attacks on Israeli-linked ships. Israel, meanwhile, intercepted a new missile fired from Yemen on Thursday, though details remain scarce.

With tensions mounting, diplomats are urging renewed negotiations. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called for intensified global dialogue to ensure maritime safety and uphold international law. As search-and-rescue efforts continue, the shipping industry and affected families are left grappling with the consequences of a rapidly escalating conflict in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.

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