A Liberian-flagged cargo ship, the Eternity C, sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen this week after being attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The attack, involving drones and small boats on Monday evening, resulted in casualties among the crew.
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At least three sailors were killed and several others injured. Search operations are underway for 19 crew members who remain missing. Six individuals have been rescued so far.
Attack on the Eternity C
The Eternity C, a Greek-owned cargo vessel, was targeted by the Houthis while sailing north towards the Suez Canal. European and US officials confirmed the initial attack occurred on Monday evening.
The assault reportedly involved a combination of drone strikes and attacks by armed individuals in small boats. Reports on Wednesday indicated the ship had sunk following the damage sustained during the attack.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
The ship’s crew consisted of 22 sailors and a security team of three, totaling 25 individuals on board. According to a statement from the EU’s Operation Aspides naval force on Wednesday, six crew members were recovered from the sea.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre issued an advisory confirming that search and rescue operations had commenced overnight on Wednesday to locate survivors from the vessel.
Houthi supporters gather in Sanaa during an anti-US and anti-Israel rally, reflecting the group's stance amidst Red Sea ship attacks.
Another Ship Sunk by Houthis
The attack on the Eternity C occurred shortly after the Houthis targeted another cargo vessel, the Magic Seas, on Sunday. After its crew was rescued, the Magic Seas also sank earlier this week.
Both attacks took place in the same general area, approximately 100 kilometres southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which is under Houthi control.
International Condemnation
The United States State Department issued a statement condemning the recent events in the Red Sea.
“The United States condemns the unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured and the complete loss of the MV Magic Seas and its cargo,” the statement read on Tuesday.
The US added that these incidents demonstrate the ongoing threat posed by the “Iran-backed Houthi rebels” to international shipping and regional security.
Context: Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea
The Houthi group, which controls large parts of northern and western Yemen, began launching attacks against commercial shipping in the important Red Sea maritime corridor in late 2023. The group stated these actions were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
While attacks had occurred previously, these assaults on the Magic Seas and Eternity C mark a notable escalation and the first sinkings attributed to Houthi action in the area in recent months. These incidents highlight the continued risks to global trade routes in the region.
For more on the situation in the Red Sea, you can explore related articles like Houthis threaten to target US ships in the Red Sea or delve into the broader Iran-Israel confrontation and its potential widening. The Israeli navy has also been involved, with attacks on Houthi-held Hodeida port.
