Houthis Kidnap 15 Crew Members From Sinking Ship
Second ship sunk this week by Yemen’s Houthis as maritime war escalates; at least 4 dead, 2 wounded, and 15 hostages taken
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The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the sinking of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C and the abduction of 15 crew members, in what is shaping up to be one of the most severe maritime attacks in recent months.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the ship, operated by a Greek company and reportedly en route to the port of Eilat, Israel, was struck using “an unmanned naval vessel, six ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles,” leading to its complete sinking.
At least four crew members were killed in the attack and two others wounded, while 15 surviving crew members were reportedly taken by the Houthis.
“We rescued them, provided medical treatment, and transferred them to a safe place,” Sarea claimed in an official statement Wednesday evening.
A Pattern of Escalation
The Eternity C is the second vessel sunk by the Houthis this week. On Sunday, they struck the Magic Seas, which sank the following day. No casualties were reported in that incident.
According to Reuters, the Eternity C had 22 crew members on board at the time of the attack, 21 Filipinos and one Russian, along with armed guards. The vessel was targeted by drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched from small Houthi boats.
Earlier today, maritime security firms operating in the Red Sea launched a rescue operation, managing to extract at least five crew members before the ship sank completely.
On Tuesday, the Houthis released a propaganda video showing the attack and capture of the Magic Seas, describing it as part of their effort to enforce a maritime blockade on Israel.
“Yemen is prepared to confront any attempt to break the naval siege imposed on the enemy,” Sarea declared.
Geopolitical Fallout
The escalation exemplifies growing tensions in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have intensified their attacks on international shipping routes, particularly vessels believed to be linked to Israel or its allies.
Israeli and Western officials have yet to issue formal responses to the latest incident, but military analysts warn that the Red Sea shipping corridor is becoming a warzone, with major implications for global commerce and regional stability.