Houthis Strike Again: Red Sea Ship Sinks In Escalating Crisis

Tensions are boiling over in the Red Sea once more, a second commercial ship has sunk in less than a week as Houthi rebels intensify their campaign against vessels with alleged ties to Israel, sparking fresh fears of a maritime security crisis.

Ten crew members were rescued after the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, was attacked and sunk by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels near the Yemeni coast. The incident marks the second ship sinking in the Red Sea this week alone, deepening international alarm over the safety of one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.

The European Union’s Operation Aspides, which oversees maritime security in the area, confirmed that three crew members died in the assault, while several others are believed to be held captive by the Houthis. The ship’s crew comprised 22 individuals, 21 Filipinos and one Russian along with a three-member security team of Greek, Indian, and unknown nationalities. Eight Filipino sailors and two security personnel were pulled from the water between Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the Eternity C had endured repeated attacks over several days, with rocket-propelled grenades fired from small Houthi boats. The Houthis later claimed they struck the vessel with six missiles and an unmanned explosive-laden boat, asserting the ship was en route to the Israeli port of Eilat.

A video released by the Houthis shows the ship severely damaged and sinking, alongside radio exchanges where the rebels reportedly assured the crew of their safety. Despite this, the U.S. mission to Yemen condemned the incident as a kidnapping, demanding the immediate release of the detained crew.

The attack comes just days after the Houthis targeted the Magic Seas, forcing its crew to abandon ship. The rebel group has vowed to continue striking any vessel it believes is linked to Israel, declaring solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.

While the Houthis in May agreed to stop targeting U.S. warships following retaliatory airstrikes, they have made no such promise concerning commercial shipping. As attacks intensify, the international community is bracing for a broader crisis that could severely disrupt global maritime trade through the Red Sea.